MANCHESTER – State Sen. Keith Murphy, R-Manchester, turned himself in to Manchester police Monday in connection with an assault on his employee at the restaurant he owns on Elm Street, Murphy’s Taproom.
On April 30, Manchester police received a report that an employee at Murphy’s Taproom had gotten into an argument with a man in the restaurant, according to a Manchester police news release.
“During the course of the argument, the victim said he was spit on and slapped. Surveillance video was consistent with what the employee reported and also showed the suspect pick up a chair in an aggressive manner,” the release said.
Police identified the suspect as 47-year-old Keith Murphy, the release said.
Murphy posted his statement on his Facebook page:
“I am innocent of these charges and I look forward to my day in court. When the facts are known it will be clear that the police have charged the victim in this case. I will be defending my name, reputation, and business through the legal process, and I defer all further questions to my attorney, Donna Brown,” Murphy wrote.
New Hampshire Democratic Party Chairman Ray Buckley released the following statement:
“These are very serious charges that should be taken seriously by all involved. If Senator Murphy is convicted, without question he must leave the senate immediately.”
Murphy is charged with two counts of Simple Assault and one count of Criminal Threatening. Murphy was released on PR bail and will be arraigned on July 24.
He also owns the Murphy’s Taproom in Bedford.