Plea ends bite case against attorney

BY JAY F. MARKS

Published: October 10, 2008

The outgoing general counsel for the Oklahoma Bar Association was in court for only a matter of seconds Thursday, but it was long enough for him to be convicted of outraging public decency.

Dan Murdock entered an Alford plea to the misdemeanor charge, maintaining he did nothing wrong at a June 28 wedding shower.

Murdock, 62, acknowledged Oklahoma County prosecutors had enough evidence to convince a jury he was guilty of groping and biting a woman that day at Remington Park.

"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.”

District Judge Jerry Bass sentenced Murdock to one year of probation.

Murdock also must 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.

Prater said the victim was involved in the negotiations that led to Murdock’s plea on reduced charges. He originally was charged with two felony counts of sexual battery.

Murdock declined comment Thursday. He slipped out of the courthouse by a little-used stairwell after his court appearance.

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 at the bar association last week, but he won’t leave that job until Dec. 31.

As general counsel, Murdock is responsible for examining misconduct allegations against attorneys licensed in Oklahoma.

If such a grievance is filed against Murdock, a seven-member commission — made up of five lawyers and two laymen — 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.