Convicted sex offender denies threats made to former county prosecutor

Prosecutors say a handwritten letter included threats against former Westmoreland County Assistant District Attorney Barbara Jollie and children in her family.

By RICH CHOLODOFSKY
TribLive

A former Youngwood man told a Westmoreland County jury Wednesday that a letter he sent to a prosecutor was not a threat.

Timothy John Murphy, who is serving up to 32 years for child sexual assault, testified the letter was simply a plea to opt out of a sex offender treatment program.

Murphy, 42, is on trial on charges of retaliation against a prosecutor, terroristic threats and harassment. Prosecutors say a handwritten letter received by the county’s court administration office last year included violent, detailed threats against former Assistant District Attorney Barbara Jollie and children in her family.

Jollie prosecuted the original 2007 case against Murphy, which resulted in convictions on two child pornography charges, as well as counts of indecent assault of children and corruption of minors.

Murphy was sentenced in 2009 to serve five years and eight months to 32 years in prison and to complete sex offender treatment. Murphy’s parole attempts have been rejected, in part because Jollie recommended against early release, prosecutors said.

Jollie, 75, has since retired as a prosecutor. For the last five years, she has worked as a hearing officer presiding over child dependency cases in Westmoreland County.

“I didn’t intend to harm her. I wrote to bring transparency to the (sex offender treatment) program,” Murphy testified. Murphy, who now identifies as transgender, conceded to writing the letter but insisted its graphic details only described requirements of the sex offender treatment program. Murphy also testified the letter demanded Jollie back an effort for his castration to avoid complying with the program.

“This program creates more pedophiles,” Murphy said.

Jollie testified she was not initially concerned about her safety because Murphy was incarcerated when she received the letter.

“It concerns me he knows I am a former prosecutor and yes it concerns me that when he is released that he will continue to track me and my family,” Jollie testified. “It concerns me he wants to see me and my family hurt. And it also concerns me he is still in treatment and has these feelings towards children.”

According to court records, Murphy’s original convictions stemmed from allegations that he possessed child pornography and forced children to watch as he performed sex acts.

Closing arguments in the retaliation case are scheduled for Thursday morning before Common Pleas Judge Michael Stewart II.