Alfred Paul Murrah
How Judge Murrah rules, drawn from 34 signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
Judge Murrah no longer hears cases. This profile is preserved as a historical record of how they ruled here.
About Judge Murrah
Alfred Paul Murrah was a judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit. Appointed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Judge Murrah received a commission on September 4, 1940. Judge Murrah previously served on the United States District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma, commissioned there on March 3, 1937. Judge Murrah assumed senior status on May 1, 1970 and served until death on October 30, 1975.
How Judge Murrah decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
The right to counsel in an involuntary commitment proceeding warranted retroactive protection because its absence threatened the integrity of a process taking liberty.
“In our case the fundamental right to counsel is involved and failure to have counsel at every step of the proceedings may result in indefinite and oblivious confinement and work shameful injustice.”
A workers' compensation insurer's liability and available defenses were coextensive with those of its insured employer.
“As to that, its liability is exactly commensurate with that of its insured.”
Procedural preferences
The appeal period ran from entry of judgment rather than notice, leaving prospective appellants responsible for monitoring the action.
“that time starts to run from the date of entry of judgment and not from the date of notice of the entry.”
An amendment increasing claimed damages was allowed in the interest of justice when it did not change the negligence cause of action.
“Rule 15 (a), F.R.C.P. 28 U.S.C.A., provides that amendments should be freely allowed in the interest of justice.”
Cautions
A witness's prior conviction and equivocal statement went to credibility and weight for the jury rather than automatic exclusion.
“In our system of jurisprudence the jury is the sole and best judge of factual contentions and whom to believe.”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“the judgment of the trial court is affirmed.”
“The judgment of the trial court is affirmed.”
“The judgment of the trial court is accordingly affirmed.”
“The order denying motion to vacate is affirmed.”
“the judgment of the trial court is affirmed.”
“The judgment is therefore affirmed.”
“The appeal should be dismissed.”
“the judgment of the trial court is reversed.”
A historical record
Judge Murrah no longer hears cases. This profile stays available as a record of how they ruled here. If you're preparing for a matter, start from the court's current bench.