Judge Murphy is a Colorado native and a graduate of Denver East High School. He earned a degree in American History from the University of Pennsylvania and his law degree from the University of Colorado School of Law. Judge Murphy worked as a Deputy State Public Defender for 20 years prior to his appointment as District Court judge. For 10 of those years, he headed the Salida Regional Office of the Colorado State Public Defender. Judge Murphy has lived and worked in the 11th Judicial District since 1995. Judge Murphy serves as the Chief Judge of the district and hears cases primarily in Chaffee County (Salida).