Judge In Mass. Libel Case Loses Pension Bid

The state's highest court has ruled that a Superior Court judge who won a libel suit against the Boston Herald is not entitled to a disability pension.

The Supreme Judicial Court on Friday upheld decisions by the state Board of Retirement and an appeals board to deny Ernest Murphy's application for accidental disability retirement benefits.

Murphy said he suffered post-traumatic stress and other psychological problems after the Herald in 2002 published a series of articles critical of his handling of a rape case, and a death threat the judge later received in the mail.

But the SJC ruled Friday that Murphy was unable to prove his disability resulted from a personal injury sustained while performing his judicial duties.