Background
Murphy was born in Chicago. His father served as a grand juror in Richmond County for 25 years.
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William Murphy
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He received his undergraduate education from Fordham University and his law degree from Harvard Law School. He was a public prosecutor in the Manhattan District Attorney"s office from 1969 to 1975. From 1975 to 1982, he was the chief assistant district attorney in Staten Island until Governor Cuomo appointed him acting district attorney of Staten Island in November 1982.
He was appointed district attorney (District Attorney) in March 1983 and continued in the position for 20 years, through five elections.
As Doctorate.A., he was well-liked in Staten Island. Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg called him "legendary public servant" upon his death.
He advocated for strict environmental regulations and legislation after prosecuting John Cassiliano, a sanitation supervisor at the Brookfield landfill who took bribes in exchange for allowing illegal dumping of toxic waste, in 1982. In 1988, he prosecuted Andre Rand, who was convicted of kidnapping and murdering a 12-year-old girl with Down"s Syndrome.
In 2003, he prosecuted Ronnell Wilson, who was convicted and served the death penalty for murdering two undercover detectives.
Murphy retired shortly afterward. Murphy was elected president of the National Association of District Attorneys in 1998.
