Stephen G. Murphy's trial record speaks for itself.  His unmatched results deliver a verdict about the kind of relentless defense he provides to his clients.  He is the lawyer to call if you are facing serious criminal or civil charges--charges which can cost you your freedom, your pension, or your property.

In 1987, Stephen Murphy rocketed to national prominence during the 'Howard Beach' trial, one of the most racially volatile cases in New York City's history.  One night in December, 1986, Michael Griffith and two other black men were attacked by a dozen white teenagers, shouting epithets and racial slurs, wielding baseball bats and other weapons.   Mr. Griffith was chased by the mob onto a highway where he was struck and killed by a car. 

Four of the group were charged--two with man-slaughter and two with second degree murder.  Mr. Murphy agreed to represent Michael Pirone who faced manslaughter charges.  Although the racial aspects of the case greatly disturbed him, he had a job to do, and his aggressive, no-holds- barred defense of his client became the subject of nightly television news coverage and feature articles in New York City's major newspapers:  the  Times, the Daily News, the Post and Newsday.

His client was the only defendant to be found not guilty of all charges. 

New York City again had been rocked by a crime which had it questioning its identity as a liberal  and open-minded city with generally good race relations.  A black teenager, Yusef Hawkins, 16, and three friends were attacked by a white, teen-aged mob in Bensonhurst, Queens and Mr. Hawkins was shot and killed.  This time, Mr. Murphy's client was Keith Mondello who was accused of being the prime instigator and ring-leader, rioting, weapons possession, discrimination, unlawful imprisonment, murder and manslaughter.

Mr. Murphy's defense strategy was to concede the lesser charges and to focus on the major ones--the murder and manslaughter charges.  Mr. Mondello had confessed to the police that he'd organized the gang and armed them with baseball bats.

During the trial, Mr. Murphy received death threats, was verbally attacked by angry mobs and physically assaulted.  A phalanx of policemen escorted him to and from the courthouse each day.  As was the case with Howard Beach, this trial dominated the news -- receiving daily television and newspaper coverage.  During and after the trial, Mr. Murphy was interviewed on Donahue, Oprah, Nightline, and all of the local news and talk shows. 

After eleven days of jury deliberation, Mr. Mondello was acquitted of murder and manslaughter charges.

Read more news articles about Mr. Murphy.