Criminal justice teacher who put his student, 15, in 'choke hold until he lost consciousness' has lengthy rap sheet

Daily Mail​

13 hours ago

A high school criminal justice teacher and basketball coach at the center of a growing scandal after police say he placed a 15-year-old student in a choke hold owns a lengthy rap sheet, it has been revealed.
Devon Murphy, 41, a teacher at Douglas Byrd High School in Fayetteville, North Carolina, has been charged with felony assault by strangulation and misdemeanor child abuse stemming from an alleged attack that took place in March.
According to court documents, Murphy 'put his arm around the juvenile victim's neck in a choke hold position until the victim lost consciousness,' inflicting visible swelling on the right side of the student's forehead.
'The defendant unlawfully and willfully, being a person providing care and supervision because of a teacher and student relationship… did inflict physical injury on that child,' the arrest warrant states.
Public records reviewed by the Daily Mail show that Murphy has been arrested eight times over the last 16 years, mainly for non-payment of rent.
He has amassed more than $5,000 in unpaid debts, and in at least four cases landlords had to take legal action to have him forcibly evicted from their properties - most recently in 2022.
Murphy was arrested late last month, four months after the alleged incident took place. He was booked into the Cumberland County Detention Center before being released on $25,000 secured bond.
Murphy appeared in court on Friday and is scheduled to return for a disposition hearing on August 20.
The arrest warrant details how Murphy allegedly used a choke hold maneuver that rendered the teenager unconscious.
The alleged assault happened on school grounds, during the school day.
The Fayetteville Police Department has launched a full criminal investigation, and its Youth Services Unit has urged any other potential victims or witnesses to come forward.
'These allegations are concerning and do not reflect the standards we expect of those who serve our students,' the Cumberland County Schools (CCS) district said in a statement. 'The safety of our students and staff remains our top priority.'
The charges against Murphy have already shocked parents and staff.
It is unclear whether Cumberland County Schools conducted a full background check before hiring Murphy in October 2013, or if his prior arrests were disclosed or considered irrelevant to his employment.
In response to the most recent charges, CCS says it immediately suspended Murphy with pay after learning of the allegations.
'As soon as the situation was brought to our attention, we reported it to law enforcement and suspended the employee with pay, pending the outcome of the investigation,' a CCS spokesperson told WCCN.
Murphy has served in both middle and high schools since joining the district more than a decade ago.
He also worked as head coach of the boys' varsity basketball team at Douglas Byrd High.
The school has not commented on whether the student involved in the case was a player on the team or had other personal interactions with Murphy outside of class.
There are questions as to why it took police more than four months to arrest Murphy. The alleged assault took place in March, but Murphy wasn't arrested until July 24.
The district also has not explained whether Murphy continued teaching or coaching students between March and his late-July arrest. His current employment status is 'suspended with pay.'
No motive has been revealed, and neither the victim's identity nor the specific circumstances leading up to the alleged attack have been disclosed publicly due to the juvenile's age.
Murphy remains free on bond and has not commented publicly on the charges.
Murphy is due back in court on August 20, where he is expected to face a preliminary hearing that could determine whether the case proceeds to trial.