Ethics Attorney Pleads Guilty in Sexual Battery Case

Outgoing Oklahoma Bar Association General Counsel Enters Plea in Biting Case
The Associated Press - October 10, 2008

A lawyer who examined misconduct allegations against attorneys for the Oklahoma Bar Association has been given a year of probation on a charge of outraging public decency. Dan Murdock entered an Alford plea to the misdemeanor count Thursday, maintaining he did nothing wrong at a June 28 wedding shower but acknowledging that Oklahoma County prosecutors had enough evidence to persuade a jury otherwise. Murdock, 62, was accused of groping and biting a woman that day at Remington Park. He originally was charged with two felony counts of sexual battery. "I understand the nature of the charges and the evidence that would be presented against me," he wrote in court papers. "I understand this evidence, if believed, could be sufficient to convict me." The woman told Oklahoma City police Murdock pulled down her blouse and bit her on the breast. The woman said Murdock also grabbed her by the hair, bit the back of her neck and grabbed her outside her clothes in her genital area.

Besides the probation, District Judge Jerry Bass ordered Murdock to undergo an alcohol assessment and perform 50 hours of community service. "He'll be speaking to people that are in therapy for alcohol abuse and the like," District Attorney David Prater said. Murdock declined comment Thursday. Attorney Tom Riesen said Murdock is pleased the case has been resolved. "This has been a very stressful time for him and he's looking forward to moving on." Murdock resigned his post as general counsel at the bar association last week, but he won't leave that job until Dec. 31. In that position, he looked into accusations of misconduct against lawyers. If Murdock were himself to face such allegations, a seven-member commission would investigate to see whether there is any merit to the claim, according to the bar association. The state Supreme Court ultimately would decide whether disciplinary action is appropriate.