Although Murphree admitted to taking more than 30 documents, the above
photo is of those which were recovered including a check and money order
that found their way into a creek.
August 23, 2019 - The case against a former deputy District Clerk who was arrested July 10, 2019 for tampering with a government record has reached a disposition as of August 20, 2019.
Documents which were meant to have been filed in the District Clerk’s office were instead thrown into a Shelby County creek and were later discovered by a resident who reported the find to authorities.
Murphree admitted to Texas Rangers she had taken the documents as well as 30 others.
According to Gary Rholes, Shelby County Attorney, Shelly Murphree pled guilty to Tampering with a Government record on August 20, 2019. The charge regarded records missing from the Shelby County District Clerk’s office.
Murphree paid $500 up front to pay for a missing money order for a child support payment, though it was not alleged that Murphree cashed the money order. Immediate payment of this amount, however, will allow this child support to be quickly disbursed to the parent entitled to this amount.
Additionally, Murphree was ordered to pay $500 fine, $262 court cost, perform 20 hours of Community Service and turn over any District Clerk records as conditions of her 12 month Community Supervision. Compliance with the terms of the probation would allow Murphree to avoid a sixth month sentence in the Shelby County Jail.
Compliance would also allow Murphree to avoid a judgment making a formal finding of guilt on her record. The punishment assessed was agreed to by County Attorney Gary Rholes, Ryan Deaton, Murphree’s attorney, and was approved by Judge Allison Harbison.
Rholes stated that he appreciates the citizen leading authorities to evidence in the case and the investigating work of Constable James Hagler and Texas Ranger James Hicks. Rholes also added that he hopes this sends a signal that official misconduct committed by public servants will not be ignored in matters over which he has jurisdiction. “Ignoring such misconduct sends the absolute wrong signal to everyone.”
Related article:
Former Deputy District Clerk Charged for Tampering with Government Record
