Stephen Murphy YDC Trial Set to Begin

On Monday, November 10th, the State of New Hampshire will once again attempt to convince a jury that Stephen Murphy abused children while he worked at YDC. The State of New Hampshire failed to convince a jury in January, 2025 that Murphy raped Michael Gilpatrick, when the jury deadlocked and the judge declared a mistrial. For some strange reason, prosecutors think it's a good idea to try again with another "victim" and attempt to put another innocent man in prison.

Murphy’s case, like all of the YDC criminal cases, is chalked full of discrepancies, conflicts of interest, lies and hard to fathom claims that allegedly occurred over 25 years ago. In addition, the accusers are convicted criminals and drug addicts who have a history of mental illness. Most importantly, all of the accusers have received large settlements from the State of New Hampshire, as a result of the alleged abuse they endured.

Michael Gilpatrick accused Murphy and three other staff members of holding him down in a stairwell and raping him in 1998. Brad Asbury, one of the other staff members who was accused in the same Gilpatrick incident was found guilty by a jury in November, 2024 and sentenced to 20 to 40 years in prison.

In September 2025, former YDC staff member Jonathan Brand was found not guilty by a jury for two alleged abuse incidents that occurred in 1997 and 2007. Fortunately for Brand, that jury actually knew what “beyond a reasonable doubt” means.

Most recently, James Woodlock went on trial for a separate incident involving accuser David Meehan and was found guilty by the jury. Like all of the YDC trials, there was no evidence. There were no witnesses. There was no proof. The jury found Woodlock guilty based solely on a drug addict’s story. Woodlock remains incarcerated, pending his sentencing hearing in December.

What’s most compelling about all of the former YDC staff members that have been accused of abusing kids is that almost every single one of them has an impeccable record and no prior history of abuse. They have almost all had extensive careers helping children and this is the end result. It’s also important to note that not one accused staff member has taken a plea deal or chosen to testify against another staff member. They have all vehemently denied the allegations and opted to go to trial.

The fact that a jury of 12 people in New Hampshire can find someone guilty by only one person’s word versus another’s is beyond concerning. That means that at any point and time, someone you worked with 20 years ago could make up a story about you sexually abusing them and you could end up in prison. No proof or no witnesses are needed. Only one person’s lies. To say that’s scary would be an understatement.

I have had the opportunity to speak with countless friends and family members of Stephen Murphy, as well as numerous former staff members who worked with him at YDC. There is one thing everyone agrees on. There is no way Stephen Murphy is guilty.

Stephen Murphy has a flawless record and has dedicated his life to working with children. From being a special education teacher, to coaching basketball, to his decorated career at YDC, Stephen Murphy is known amongst his peers as one of the best. During the time of his arrest, Murphy was working for the Boston Red Sox as a clubhouse attendant that was considered his dream job. That career was taken away from him by a drug addict, criminal.

As I often say, I am not insinuating that there was never abuse at YDC. However, I will make an assertion and say that innocent people are facing a jury and others are sitting in prison right now, all because of the lies of mentally deranged, drug addicts who are motivated by the ridiculous settlements being handed out by the State of New Hampshire.

Chris Thompson’s (christhompsnh@gmail.com) column is published weekly on graniteeaglepress.com and howiecarrshow.com