Local sports legend faces charges of indecency with a child

10:43 AM CST on Tuesday, March 30, 2004

Associated Press and 11 News Staff Reports

Click to watch Jeremy Desel's report

HOUSTON -- Hall of Fame guard Calvin Murphy surrendered to authorities Monday after being accused of sexually abusing his daughters more than a decade ago.

Prosecutors charged the former Houston Rockets star with three counts of aggravated sexual assault and three counts of indecency with a child.

KHOU Calvin Murphy surrendered Monday night and was released after posting bond.

The charges involve five daughters who were under 17, the Harris County district clerk's office said. The daughters said Murphy sexually abused them between 1988-91, according to an affidavit by Drew Carter of the Texas Rangers.

The 55-year-old Murphy was released from jail Monday night after posting a $90,000 bond. Murphy had no comment.

Murphy's attorney, Rusty Hardin, said his client insists the charges are "absolutely not true."

"He did nothing that has been alleged that we can tell what the charges are," Hardin said. "Once these allegations are made, no one ever fully recovers. No matter what a jury says, he will always be branded with this. He's just devastated by it. And he adamantly denies the truthfulness of these charges."

Prosecutors aren't bothered by how long ago the crimes were alleged to have taken place. "I mean, there are five different girls, that each have their own story as to what he did to them," said Lance Long.

KHOU Murphy now works as an analyst for the Houston Rockets.

Harris County District Attorney Chuck Rosenthal said his office had notified other jurisdictions about the charges. "He has a number of families around the country, according to our research," Rosenthal said.

Murphy, a TV analyst for the Rockets, was a star guard for the franchise from 1970-83. The 5-foot-9 player averaged 17.9 points and shot 89.2 percent from the line during his NBA career. He averaged 33.1 points in college at Niagara.

Murphy is one of the oldest members of the Rocket's organization. He was originally drafted by the San Diego Rockets in 1970 before the team moved to Houston.

As a Hall of Famer he still holds several team records, but these days fans know him best as a broadcaster. And his television partner Bill Worrell is in disbelief. "I'm deeply saddened by this whole thing," he said. "It's like Calvin is a member of my family. That's why I don't believe any of the charges, and I think he'll be found innocent. And I think he'll be back with us in a short period of time. I support him 100 percent."

Worrell spoke with Murphy Monday afternoon. "He's very depressed, he's very down," said Worrell. "He's very disappointed as I think most people in his situation would be. You know, Calvin, I've known him for over 30 years, I've worked with him in the community for over 20, and I know what he has given to this community, the time he's given to the kids and that's why this whole thing is so shocking."

And former Rocket Matt Bullard worked the game Monday night. "Calvin is one of the greatest guys in the world, you know," he said. "I just feel like I'm coming off the bench for Calvin tonight and I'll try to do my best. But I wish Calvin the best. He's one of my all-time favorite guys."

The Rockets said in a statement that Murphy asked for and received a leave of absence from his broadcasting duties.

Hardin would not discuss specific details about the charges against Murphy, only saying that he and prosecutors disagree on the facts of the case.

Murphy has been aware of the investigation for two weeks after one of the daughters told him that authorities had contacted her about the allegations of abuse, Hardin said.

Hardin said that the now adult daughters accusing him are simply after money, specifically a pension fund left to Murphy when their mother died. "These children wanted that fund as adults," said Hardin. "And made it clear he would regret it if he didn't sign it over to them."

Prosecutors said that Murphy will not be at any advantage due to his celebrity, even though he did get an unusual closed hearing and an exit out of a side door. "We'll treat this case as we would any other case that is filed in Harris County, Texas," said Long. "He's not going to be treated any worse or any better.

Murphy was not interviewed by investigators, but Hardin said he provided to authorities witnesses, both children and adults, who insisted the alleged actions never happened.

Murphy was a high school star at Norwalk, Conn., before moving on to little Niagara University, where he was a two-time consensus All-America and led the school to a 22-7 record and an NCAA tournament berth in 1970.

He was drafted in the second round that year by the San Diego Rockets, who moved to Houston the following year, and quickly became a fan favorite despite playing on several bad teams. His 17,949 points were a franchise high until Hakeem Olajuwon passed him.

Murphy missed just nine free throws -- and made 78 straight in one stretch -- in 1980-81 for a record single-season percentage of .958.

He was enshrined in the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1993 and his number hangs retired in the Toyota Center rafters.