A mistrial was declared by a judge on Wednesday after jurors were unable to reach a consensus on whether Stephen Murphy, a former employee of New Hampshire’s youth detention center, raped a 14-year-old boy back in 1998. The 55-year-old from Danvers, Massachusetts, continues to face 15 additional charges in separate cases unrelated to this trial. This development represents the second mistrial linked to accusations of abuse within state-operated youth facilities. The jury had communicated their deadlock on Wednesday morning during their deliberations, which were on their second day.
The Attorney General’s office expressed their disappointment regarding the jury’s inability to reach a unanimous verdict, stating they respect the judicial process and the juror’s thorough deliberation. They reaffirmed their commitment to justice for all victims and accountability for all offenders. Although there are discussions ongoing about the possibility of a retrial, no decisions have yet been finalized, as confirmed by Michael Garrity, a spokesperson from the Attorney General’s office. Murphy’s next court dates are slated for April, July, and October, where he will face charges tied to three other boys who were under the center’s care during the 1990s.
In regard to the case at hand, Murphy was accused of aggravated felonious sexual assault, specifically for allegedly carrying a 14-year-old boy to a stairwell at the Youth Development Center in Manchester, where he subsequently raped him while colleagues restrained the victim. In relation to the case, another former employee, Brad Asbury, was found guilty in November on two counts of aiding and abetting aggravated sexual assault and is set for sentencing on January 27.
The scandal surrounding Murphy’s arrest, alongside another ex-youth counselor in 2019, brought to light accusations of rampant abuse within the facility, which is now known as the Sununu Youth Services Center. Throughout the trial, jurors listened to testimony from Michael Gilpatrick, who previously shared details about the allegations during Asbury’s criminal proceedings and a civil trial associated with another former resident. Gilpatrick disclosed that he didn’t report the abuse at the time as dorm leaders were complicit in the assault. He explained that he spent years attempting to suppress those memories before realizing he needed to come forward to seek justice.
During closing remarks, defense attorney Charles Keefe pointed out apparent contradictions between Gilpatrick’s testimony in court and statements he made to the police in 2020, suggesting that his narrative may have evolved as he aimed for compensation in a civil lawsuit. He urged jurors to consider how Gilpatrick had changed his account over time, arguing that such inconsistencies undermine his credibility. Keefe also contrasted Murphy’s calm demeanor when denying the accusations against the expressive emotions exhibited by Gilpatrick during his testimony.
In response, Assistant Attorney General Audriana Mekula argued that Gilpatrick’s decision to speak out was motivated not by a desire for financial gain or fame, but a moral obligation to disclose the truth, regardless of the emotional toll it took on him while discussing sensitive topics in front of Murphy’s family and friends. She questioned whether Gilpatrick would voluntarily open up about his painful experiences if they were not grounded in reality, emphasizing that his ongoing healing process should not diminish the validity of his claims.
Murphy and another ex-staff member were charged in July 2019 with the sexual assault of David Meehan, who became the first of over 1,100 former residents to file lawsuits against the state alleging various forms of abuse spanning a 60-year period. Earlier this year, a jury awarded Meehan $38 million, a verdict currently disputed by the state, which is attempting to reduce the award to $475,000.
Following Murphy’s arrest, the Attorney General’s office initiated an extensive inquiry into the facility, leading to the arrest of a total of 11 individuals. However, charges against one were dismissed for lack of evidence, another was determined incompetent to stand trial, and a third passed away before facing trial. With Murphy’s trial being the fourth among those charged, he is now part of a wider pattern of cases bringing allegations of severe misconduct to light. Alongside Asbury, Stanley Watson was convicted on January 13 of three counts related to the sexual assault of two minors. Another case that ended in a hung jury is expected to be retried later this year.
The youth center, which once accommodated over 100 children, is now an establishment focused on several of the most serious criminal offenders and is named after former Governor John H. Sununu. There has been legislative approval for the facility’s closure, with plans to replace it with a significantly smaller structure in a different location.
