A woman who claimed disgraced Ukiah Police Sergeant Kevin Murray raped her twice was awarded $1 million by the Mendocino County Superior Court this week.
Corinne Johnson filed her suit in December 2022 after Murray was fired from the Ukiah Police Department following his sexual assault of a woman after breaking into her hotel room. Johnson saw an opportunity for justice eight years after her alleged rape by Murray.
Richard Sax, Johnson’s attorney based in Santa Rosa, said his office took on the case due to the “seriousness” of Johnson’s allegations.
The initial civil filing named both Murray and the Ukiah Police Department (UPD) as defendants, asserting that UPD “knew, or in the exercise of reasonable diligence should have known,” that Murray was unfit to serve as a law enforcement officer.
However, former Mendocino County Superior Court Judge Janine Nadel ruled that the department had no responsibility for Murray’s actions as he was off duty at the time, leading Sax to amend the suit to exclude UPD.
Murray did not respond to Johnson’s civil suit, resulting in a default judgment, meaning he did not offer any testimony, exhibits, or refutations of Johnson’s claims during the trial. After defaulting, he was barred from addressing the court.
Sax described the $1 million judgment as a “vindication” for Johnson and “accountability” for Murray. However, Sax is uncertain whether they can collect the amount but plans to investigate Murray’s potential real estate holdings and wage garnishments.
It’s important to note that her case was decided in civil court, not criminal court, which has a different standard of proof. In criminal cases, the state must prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. In civil cases, the plaintiff only needs to show that their claims are more likely true than not, known as the “preponderance of evidence” standard.
Johnson’s lawsuit details a graphic sequence of sexual abuse. The first alleged incident occurred on April 10, 2014, when Johnson was still grieving the loss of her dog, which had been attacked and killed by another dog the day before. The lawsuit states Murray arrived at her home around 11:30 pm, intoxicated and wearing civilian clothes. Despite her initial shock and reluctance, Johnson allowed him to stay and sit on the couch. However, the lawsuit describes things quickly taking a turn when Murray began to touch her breasts without her consent and then asked her to perform oral sex. When she refused, he allegedly said, “Just let me put my dick in your mouth.” Afterward, he left and Johnson was reportedly alone “shocked and horrified.”
The second alleged incident occurred about two to three months later. The lawsuit claims Murray returned to Jane Doe’s home around 11 pm, again intoxicated. This time, he allegedly forced her into a bedroom, pinned her arms behind her back, and pushed her face down into the bed. He then pulled out a fixed-blade knife and a .357 semi-automatic handgun, the lawsuit alleges. Johnson noted the firearm was similar to the one he carried while on duty. After brandishing the weapons, Murray reportedly vaginally raped her.
After the assault, the lawsuit states that Johnson realized her 14-year-old son had just gotten home and told Murray he had to leave immediately. He complied but purportedly left his weapons behind. Johnson’s son then entered the room and saw the weapons on the floor. She quickly hid them in her purse and ordered him out of the room.
Johnson did not report the incidents at the time, fearing disbelief and potential repercussions. Instead, she wrote a letter to be read during any potential criminal proceedings against Murray, calling him a “rapist,” “thief,” “kidnapper,” and “liar,” and accusing him of abusing his power as a police officer.
Ten years later, Johnson still has nightmares and struggles with sleep. “I’ll always know I was raped by a cop. I thought this cop was my friend,” she said.
Murray’s documented misconduct extends beyond Johnson’s case. In 2018, he assaulted a tenant in a Ukiah residence, leading to a $1,050,000 payout from the City of Ukiah. He is also involved in another civil lawsuit alleging he sexually assaulted a fellow Ukiah Police Department officer after forcing his way into her hotel room. Murray was finally fired from the Ukiah Police Department in early 2021 after allegedly forcing his way into the hotel room of a woman he had arrested and sexually assaulting her. Investigators discovered methamphetamine in his work locker around that time. After his termination and facing multiple accusations, Murray was cited for allegedly stealing a woman’s wallet from a Lakeport grocery store.
The Sonoma County Probation Department recommended a one-year state prison sentence for Murray, citing his offenses demonstrated “criminal sophistication.” However, Murray pled no contest to felony charges of preventing or dissuading a victim from reporting a crime and was sentenced to two years of formal probation with a two-year suspended sentence. Community members decried the deal, fearing Murray might continue his law enforcement career elsewhere.
California Senate Bill 2, which established a system to decertify or suspend police officers who commit “serious misconduct,” ultimately prevented Murray from continuing in law enforcement. His police certifications were officially revoked due to his actions falling under several of the nine types of conduct qualifying as “serious misconduct,” including acts of dishonesty, abuse of power, and physical or sexual abuse.
Johnson believes Murray was a product of a corrupt “good old boys club” that “looked the other way” rather than confronting his misconduct. “You’re only as good as your weakest link. It’s every officer’s job to do the right thing. Everyone is responsible.”
Johnson said the $1 million award “represents justice.” When she went before Judge Anne Moorman, “I was actually being listened to instead of being judged. I was being cared for. I was heard, and the response was appropriate.”
“If it hurts him to make me a payment, then I’m happy. He’s gotten away with so much, that had to stop,” Johnson said. She hopes her lawsuit will encourage more women to speak out. “I am not sure I accomplished that. I tried.”
During the trial, Johnson said Murray glared at her and brushed past her on the courthouse stairwell in what she described as an attempt to intimidate her. Despite reporting the incident to the Ukiah Police, officers did not follow up after reportedly not seeing evidence of an assault in the surveillance footage. Johnson insists, “He was assaulting me with his body language.”
Johnson is on track to be a nurse and looking toward the future. She is considering taking up running, a pastime she let go after being raped, to rebuild her body and spirit. Although she has won her case, she still feels, “There is not as much good out there as I thought.”
Our Coverage of the Kevin Murray Case
A million dollars isn’t much money anymore, but it is better than nothing. Murray got off easy.
I am having a hard time understanding why murray was not forced to register as a sex offender. For rape? The least the judge could have done was put him onto that list after handing down probation and a suspended sentence.
UPD IS CORRUPT! It’s a cover up like everything else. Wake up people.
About time something happens to this horrible human.
I saw this scumbag at a business in Lakeport. He was talking about his ranch on Cobb. I hope he loses it.
Probably croppin big time.
Right? I bet a Google Satellite image of the property would be interesting!
I gotta think Mendo Fever donates to Eyster’s campaign. Eyster’s corruption shenanigans are column inch gold!
I really doubt that Mendofever donates to D.A. Eyster’s campaign. Are you kidding me? Pull your head out your ass. Do you think the small time online newspaper has the finances to donate to a corrupt public official? I get a pop-up on every article asking for donations. Do you really think that Matt LaFever is giving those donations to David Eyster? You jackass.
Even the Sonoma County recommendation of one year for the crime of rape seems way too low. He is a serial rapist! I agree with Ms. Johnson that the world is not as good a place as I thought and Mendocino County, especially Ukiah, is one of the least good places around, thanks to our corrupt and incompetent legal system.
It is good that the million dollars was awarded, but that flies in the face of his exoneration and sentencing to two years probation by the same judge, Anne Moorman. Strange.