Leon Murphy

Archived Story

Murphy to testify before sentencing

Published 2:34pm Monday, November 7, 2011
Print Comments

One of the five Niles teenagers facing criminal charges for involvement in an alleged sex video extortion case had his sentencing scheduled for December.
Appearing before Judge Scott Schofield Monday at the South Berrien County Courthouse, Leon Murphy withdrew the motion he made in October to withdraw his guilty plea.
He is now slated to be sentenced Dec. 5, after he testifies against co-defendants Parnell Martin and Martell Miller, who face their trials Nov. 29. Murphy must testify in those trial as a part of the plea bargain.
Murphy pleaded guilty to third-degree criminal sexual conduct and possession of child pornography in May. Assistant Berrien County Prosecutor Steve Pierangeli told reporters the prosecution still has the right to withdraw the plea agreement if the defendant doesn’t comply with the terms of the plea deal.
Murphy, who filed a motion to withdraw his former lawyer Jason Engram in October, was represented by a new attorney, James Miller.
Miller said he has met with Murphy several times in the past two weeks to discuss the plea agreement and the potential consequences of withdrawing his plea should he be found guilty in a jury trial.
Murphy was originally charged with several offenses, including first-degree criminal sexual conduct, which carries a maximum penalty of life in prison or any number of years.
Murphy, along with co-defendants Martin, Miller, Martise Washington and Trey Nichols, are accused of producing a sex video of a then 17-year-old girl and threatening to post it to Facebook if she didn’t perform sexual favors.
Washington was found guilty of all seven charges against him last week, while Trey Nichols will be tried in mid-December.

Tags: , ,

Print Comments
  1. November 7, 2011 at 4:56 pm <Link>

    Leon has betrayed his friends in order to keep himself out of trouble, even though he benefited from his friend’s actions to force sexual acts from the victim.

    So he’s a shiesty friend and a womanizer. Nice, but I’m sure he will be welcomed back by the Niles community with open arms.

  2. November 8, 2011 at 8:47 am <Link>

    I think what is interesting is at the time the sex video,which must not have been that great if the camera was stationary was made of minors at the time by minors at the time,the whole thing seems like kids stuff to me honestly portrayed by some horny teenagers who did wrong for sure but nothing that wrong,are we seriously going to send these children to prison for life terms ,come on judge and jury this isn’t right.

  3. November 8, 2011 at 6:53 pm <Link>

    S.O.L

    This case isn’t about age or sexting. It’s about extortion of a female by a group of guys for sex. If the victim was 21 this would still be a crime.

    They blackmailed a girl with a sex tape that was recorded without her knowledge. It just doesn’t make sense to me how people are supporting this behavior.

    All the MEN in this case are 18 and over. Thankskbye

Editor's Picks