A mistrial was declared by a judge in a case involving a former worker at New Hampshire's youth detention center accused of raping a 14-year-old boy in 1998. The jurors were deadlocked on the decision, leading to the mistrial. The defendant, Stephen Murphy, still faces 15 other charges in separate cases.
The Attorney General's office expressed disappointment over the jury's inability to reach a unanimous decision but emphasized respect for the legal process and jurors' deliberation. The decision on whether to retry the case is pending, while Murphy is scheduled for trial on additional charges involving three other boys from the 1990s.
In the current case, Murphy was charged with aggravated felonious sexual assault for allegedly raping a 14-year-old boy at the Youth Development Center in Manchester. Another individual, Brad Asbury, was previously convicted in connection with the same incident.
The allegations of abuse at the facility, now known as the Sununu Youth Services Center, came to light following the arrests of Murphy and another former youth counselor in 2019. The case has led to a broader investigation, resulting in multiple arrests and trials.
During the trial, jurors heard emotional testimony from a witness who had previously kept silent about the abuse he endured. The defense highlighted inconsistencies in the witness's accounts, while the prosecution emphasized the witness's courage in coming forward.
The legal proceedings have shed light on the troubling history of abuse at the youth center, prompting calls for reform. Lawmakers have approved the closure of the facility, which now houses only individuals accused or convicted of serious violent crimes, with plans to replace it with a smaller facility in a new location.
