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Dad hit teen with golf club, report says
The man told police he was defending himself against his daughter, 18.
By CAMILLE C. SPENCER, Times Staff Writer
Published July 28, 2007
NEW PORT RICHEY -- Richard Murphy came home from work about 2 p.m. Thursday and found his daughter had violated a house rule. She had friends over without permission. He got angry. The friends left. Then, according to authorities, Murphy punished his 18-year-old daughter Katherine by hitting her with a gray, Northwestern Flex golf club. If that is not severe enough, consider this: - The daughter, disabled after a car accident injured her brain, is weak on her right side and has slurred speech, according to sheriff's reports.
- The daughter was beaten on her right side with the golf club.
- The father is a registered nurse at Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point.
According to a report from the Pasco County Sheriff's Office, here is what happened: Richard Murphy, 55, dragged his daughter by her hair outside the home at 6620 Ridgetop Drive, in the Oak Ridge subdivision, and told her not to come back. So she decided to sit in the family's Dodge Durango, parked in the driveway, and wait for her father to cool off. The daughter later told deputies that when the vehicle's alarm went off, her father grabbed a golf club, came outside and pulled her from the vehicle. Then, she told deputies, he hit her with the golf club. Katherine Murphy ran to a neighbor's house and called authorities. Richard Murphy was charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. He is held without bail at the Land O'Lakes Jail. His work status with the hospital was unknown on Friday. A supervisor, who refused to give her name, said she was unaware of his charges until a Times reporter called. According to the report, Richard Murphy said he was defending himself from his daughter, who threatened to hit him with a metal pole. He admitted to deputies that he hit his daughter twice. In the garage, he offered proof: the bent driver. Camille C. Spencer can be reached at cspencer@sptimes.com or (727) 869-6229.
[Last modified July 27, 2007, 22:02:45]
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Comments on this article
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by CC
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08/11/07 09:01 PM
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Katie might not be all the way handicapped, and she may be into some pretty bad stuff but who here in good ole' pasco county isn't? I still don't think it justifies hitting her with a golf club!
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by anonymous
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08/09/07 06:59 PM
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what about teen has accident and parents are there 24/7 and instead of being thankful for 2nd chance in life she turns to drugs/etoh and abuses her family for her mistakes!!!!
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by RN
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08/01/07 10:05 PM
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I have known Rick for many years and he is not a child abuser. He is a devoted father. A compasionate nurse and above all a HUMAN. Unfortunately working many sleepless hours probably aided in the break of reasoning. My prayers are with them.
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by Allison
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08/01/07 09:42 AM
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I do not mean to be dis-respectful but anonymous you do not know my sister she was doing drugs before her accident & came out doing them again, please if you comment Know the real story.
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by A Friend
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07/30/07 09:05 PM
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This family has suffered enough and Katie needs to get the help her parents have been trying to get for her since the accident. My prayers are with you all.
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by A Friend
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07/30/07 08:50 PM
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I can understand that when someone reads this story it would appear that Katie is the victim. I knew this family prior to Katie's accident and she was popular a cheerleader, etc. and they were a close supportive family. cont'd
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by RN
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07/30/07 02:48 PM
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I have known Mr Murphy for many years and he has always been nothing but compassionate and deeply caring in regards to his family. There has to be more to this story then what we are being told.
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by anonymous
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07/30/07 12:31 PM
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Maybe treatment like this is why Katie turned to drugs. No matter what her family is saying she DOES have a disablity if you havn't noticed that you're not much of a sister Allison. Katie does wrong but it doesn't constitute being beat with golf club
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by steve
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07/29/07 05:59 PM
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Can someone say Pasco County
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by Drew
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07/29/07 05:53 PM
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Also, nothing justifies beating your child, especially with a weapon, but knowing the family and Katie's actions pre/post accident, unfortunetly, I can see how this could happen. I feel sorry for Mrs. Murphy and family, Katie needs to straighten up.
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by Drew
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07/29/07 05:43 PM
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I have been friends of the family well before her accident. To say she is disabled is a remarkable over statement. Sure she has slured speech and weak on one side. The truth is she's still the same girl in all aspects.
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by I Know Her
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07/29/07 04:39 PM
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If you want to comment, comment on the true facts! Katie isn't disabled nor is she handicapped. If anything is making her weak it's the amount and types of drugs she's been putting in her body over the years. She's Not as innocent as they make her.
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by Allison
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07/29/07 08:52 AM
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I am his daughter this story is all wrong. ALL WRONG, She is a liar, a sneak, a drug attic everything with her is fine, she is NOT Disabled & people wishing bad upon my father you are just as evil as she.
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by Non-crazy RN
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07/29/07 01:29 AM
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There goes his nursing license!
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by Louis
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07/28/07 11:24 PM
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Yea, I guessthere comes a point where a parent is powerless and has to get the State involved. An RN should be aware of recources dealing with these types of issues. Getting your kid tied up in the system sucks but not as bad as what you chose.
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by jojo
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07/28/07 07:13 PM
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The culture of violence in which we live...
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by Lenny
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07/28/07 06:21 PM
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I'd love to meet this bully and let him pick on someone his own size instead of a defenseless, disabled, young lady. Let him try to hit me with the golf club.
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by Dick
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07/28/07 02:28 PM
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People this women is 18 yrs old you dont know she may be a hellion and trouble. Im sure the father knew what he had to do. Trouble today is we dont have enough disiplen.Thts why kids grow up like they are.NUFF SAID
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by alfred
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07/28/07 11:58 AM
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would he do it if she wasn't disabled.. think about it.
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by Fran
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07/28/07 11:35 AM
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My prayers goes out to Katherine.
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by Rob
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07/28/07 10:36 AM
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Say what you will about Mr. Murphy, but all I can think of is sadness for his daughter. Not only did this take place yesterday, but you can bet your bottom dollar she's been abused her whole life. And I feel so sad for her. Go stay with someone else!
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by peno
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07/28/07 10:24 AM
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----it is time that we addressed the true cause behind the "solution by violence" mentality--
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by Tom
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07/28/07 09:47 AM
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Is this clown for real!! Not only is his daughter disabled,but she's 18 and she can't have friends over. Ok Hitler. How about you meet us at the village pub Saturday nite! I want to see your swing.
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by Russell
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07/28/07 09:33 AM
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I can't believe a father would use the excuse that he was defending himiself because his daugher threatened to hit him with a metal pole. He is a grown man and an adult against a disabled teenage girl. I hope she leaves home so she can be safe.
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by Dave
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07/28/07 09:07 AM
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Louis, are you Friggin kidding me. I don't care how many friends she has had over, it does not warrant to take a beating with a golf club. Your statement is rediculous!
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by mike
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07/28/07 09:03 AM
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There are 2 sides to every story, how ever his side is not looking too good!
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by Sandra
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07/28/07 08:53 AM
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We don't need to know the details of what went on in the house and whether she's done it before. Nothing justifies hitting a handicapped kid so hard with a golf club that you bend it. The Dad lost control.
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by CL
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07/28/07 08:47 AM
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Was he protecting himself when he dragged her outside by her hair? He's a loser with lack of control. He will learn manners in the jailhouse.
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by pat
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07/28/07 08:42 AM
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what kind of freak is this??
the girl had every right to defend herself from an abuseive father,,my father started swinging the belt till he felt better,,this is what we lived with.and he is a care giver????
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by John
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07/28/07 08:39 AM
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To Louis: I agree, at least partially, with you about not passing judgement yet; however, you are all wrong to call it just a "mistake." Discipline should never be imposed upon a child when the parent is angry. It only leads to major "mistakes."
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by Shelly
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07/28/07 08:12 AM
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Wow! Is this a symptom of work or life stress? Does he hit his wife, abuse his patients? I thought nurses have coping tools..he does not ned to be fired he needs counseling and his daughter protected or removed
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by Jen
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07/28/07 08:03 AM
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Louis, the report says he admitted that he hit her twice. You think they made that up? It's more likely he just admitted it and he probably doesn't think he did anything very wrong (crazy people never think they are crazy).
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by Lisa
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07/28/07 07:38 AM
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Louis, who cares what happened, beating somebody with a golf club who is already disabled? What could justify that. This guy should be fired too, a nurse? If he treats his kid this way his bedside manner must be horrible.
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by Louis
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07/28/07 05:52 AM
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Don't pass judgement on the guy yet.Mistake yes, but Noone except the people in that house know the facts. I have a feeling this isn't the first time she had un-authorized folks in his home. Is she going to re-emburse him when they steal? Good luck
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by Jan
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07/28/07 05:05 AM
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Can the father be charged with more serious consequences since the victim (his daughter) is disabled? The prosecutors should research protections afforded those of us who are disabled. We are often victimized and should have extra protections by law
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