Gonzales "This Looks Way Too Calculated"

Javier Gonzales

The story of Judge Michael Murphy's indictment and pending trial rocked the state earlier this month. However, a "not-guilty" plea was entered by Murphy on Friday and the story was about to cool down. Waiting for adjudication of all charges by due process seemed to be the logical next step for all interested observers. It would seem that the cooling off period on discussions about the Murphy case will have to wait a little longer. Why? Because the head of the New Mexico Democratic Party reached the conclusion that additional discussions about this remarkable case are in order. According to an article written by reporter Diana Alba of the Las Cruces Sun-News, State Democratic Party Chairman Javier Gonzales was not the least bit hesitant to insert his views on the Murphy case into the public dialogue. Apparently, Gonzales is questioning the circumstances behind the indictment of Michael Murphy. Gonzales is quoted by Alba as questioning, "The motivation - on the political side - of Matt Chandler and Susana Martinez," in the Murphy case. 

Susana Martinez

According to the Las Cruces Sun-News article, Gonzales offered the following summary of the involvement of Governor Susana Martinez: "She basically goes to the most politically motivated district attorney in the state and works to get him appointed as a special prosecutor and then they start going after this case. And so, people who shared with me their concerns from the legal community, said this looks way too calculated.'" Reportedly, Gonzales also said he questions whether the investigation "Can be fair and unbiased, if political motivations are involved."

Judge Michael Murphy

Gonzales is quoted as suggesting that roughly one hundred judges were appointed by former Governor Bill Richardson and they are serving ethically. Gonzales also said, according to Alba, that the allegation that the Democratic Party, "Solicits donations from anyone who wants political appointments is ludicrous." Javier Gonzales went on to suggest in the interview, that based on his assessment of Martinez's public comments, that she seems to have close ties to the investigation still, though she's now governor. According to the article, Gonzales is attributed with saying that, "Susana Martinez, for whatever reason, cannot let go of her prosecutor's hat and start governing New Mexico. She's been knee-deep in this process, and I'd say part of the strategy for how this whole process was unveiled."

This new twist in the direction of the public dialogue on the case makes for many interesting discussions. Are there actually political strategies on the part of Governor Martinez and Matt Chandler at work here? Or are the very nature of the troubling allegations in this case such that Javier Gonzales feels that a diversion must be created? Insinuations by Gonzales that politics are at work in the Murphy case certainly have the potential to create doubt in the minds of the voting public. And any effort that creates doubts will definitely provide political damage control for Democrats.

Matt Chandler

So which is which? Is the Murphy case simply another criminal indictment that is best left to our system of due process? Or are there behind the scenes maneuvers being conducted by Governor Martinez and Matt Chandler for political gain? Are these two elected officials guilty of engaging in politically motivated abuses of their powers as prosecutors? The comments attributed to Javier Gonzales make for fascinating political discussions because they now create two mutually exclusive conclusions for observers to reach.

Gonzales "This Looks Way Too Calculated"