Balboa man pleads not guilty to lewd acts charges

Sue Doyle

NEWPORT BEACH -- Thomas Michael Murphy pleaded not guilty Tuesday to six

counts of lewd acts with a minor and one count of possession of child

pornography.

Murphy, 52, of Balboa Island, is accused of inappropriately touching

three girls and showing them pornographic material. A pretrial hearing is

set for June 9 in Harbor Justice Center.

He was released from Orange County Jail during the weekend on $250,000

bail.

Authorities arrested Murphy at his Ruby Avenue home May 2, after an

investigation into allegations from three young girls. Police are also

looking into accusations made by a fourth girl. Prosecutors may amend the

charges if they can confirm the fourth girl’s allegations, said Sgt. Mike

McDermott of the Newport Beach Police Department.

Eugene A. Ahtirski, Murphy’s Hollywood-based attorney, stood protectively

over his client in the courtroom. Murphy, dressed in a suit, sat tensely

during Tuesday’s hearing.

Ahtirski advised Murphy “not to communicate with anyone.”

Ahtirski would not confirm whether Murphy returned to his home after he

posted bail or where he could be possibly staying.

Neighbors said they are disappointed that Murphy might be back in the

community.

“Everybody is really upset about this,” said Judy Gubser, a Ruby Avenue

resident.

During the weekend, police notified the victims’ families that Murphy was

out on bail. A protective order was issued to keep Murphy away from the

victims, McDermott said.

The case has struck a protective chord in parents who live in the area.

Nancy Sork said she and her husband, Mark, have issued strict orders to

their three children about wandering across the street.

“Our children were instructed not to go near him or the house,” she said.