Hearing on charges filed by CJP against Justice William J. Murray, Jr scheduled to begin December 1

 

In June, I did this post on charges filed by the California Commission on Judicial Performance.

On 11/7/25, the CJP issued a press release about a hearing  scheduled to begin on December 1 at the Sacramento Superior Court.  The hearing is open to the public. The CJP press release explains the procedure and what happens if charges are proved.

On 11/26/25, the CJP issued a press release vacating the December 1 hearing. "The Commission on Judicial Performance filed a Notice of Formal Proceedings in the inquiry concerning Justice William J. Murray, Jr. (Ret.), a justice of the California Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District on June 10, 2025. A hearing before special masters appointed by the Supreme Court was set to commence on Monday, December 1, 2025, at 9:00 a.m., at the Superior Court of California, County of Sacramento, 720 9th Street, Sacramento, California. The commission has issued an order vacating the hearing date. A further public announcement will be issued forthwith. "

CJP Press Release:

On June 16, 2025, the Commission on Judicial Performance announced that it had instituted formal proceedings to inquire into matters concerning Justice William J. Murray, Jr. (Ret.), a justice of the California Court of Appeal, Third Appellate District. 

A hearing has been scheduled to begin on Monday, December 1, 2025, at 9:00 a.m., at the Superior Court of California, County of Sacramento, 720 9th Street, Sacramento, California. 

The hearing will be open to the public. Under the rules that govern commission proceedings, the hearing will be conducted by special masters appointed by the California Supreme Court: Honorable Maurice Sanchez of the Court of Appeal, Fourth Appellate District, Division Three; Honorable Anthony J. Mohr (Ret.) of the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles; and Honorable B. Tam Nomoto Schumann (Ret.) of the Superior Court of California, County of Orange. 

At the hearing, the parties will have an opportunity to introduce evidence and to examine and cross-examine witnesses. Commission Trial Counsel Mark A. Lizarraga and Assistant Trial Counsel Melissa G. Murphy will serve as Examiners for the commission. Justice Murray is represented by Randall A. Miller, Andrew J. Waxler, and Jeanette Chu of Los Angeles. Following completion of the hearing, the special masters will provide the commission with a report containing their findings with respect to the charges. 

The parties will have an opportunity to respond to the report through briefing and argument before the commission. If the commission determines that the charges are proved by clear and convincing evidence, it is empowered to impose discipline as provided in the California Constitution. Charges that the commission determines are not proved will be dismissed.