Mixed Verdict in Landmark Youth Detention Abuse Case
A jury has delivered a split verdict in the case of Stephen Murphy, one of the first men charged in connection with the widespread abuse scandal at New Hampshire's state-run youth detention facility. On Wednesday, 19th November 2025, the 56-year-old from Danvers, Massachusetts, was found not guilty on three counts of aggravated felonious sexual assault. However, the jury could not reach a unanimous decision on five other identical charges, resulting in a deadlock.
Background of the Case and Wider Scandal
Stephen Murphy was one of two former Youth Development Center workers initially charged in 2019. The allegations centred on the assault of a teenage boy at the Manchester facility during the 1990s. This case was merely the tip of the iceberg, sparking an unprecedented criminal investigation that has since expanded dramatically.
The fallout from the initial allegations is staggering. The scandal now encompasses over 1,100 lawsuits filed by former residents, nine additional arrests, and the creation of a special settlement fund designed to compensate the victims. This was the second trial for Murphy; his first, which involved a different alleged victim, ended in a mistrial back in January. He still faces charges related to two other former residents of the facility, now known as the Sununu Youth Services Center.
Details of the Latest Trial and Testimony
In this most recent trial, Murphy faced eight counts of aggravated felonious sexual assault. The charges alleged that he forced or coerced David Meehan into performing sexual acts back in 1997 and 1998. Meehan has publicly identified himself as a victim.
Murphy, who later worked as a clubhouse attendant for the Boston Red Sox, took the stand last week and categorically denied all accusations. "Absolutely not," he testified when asked if he had done anything to Meehan. "Those are completely false accusations."
His defence attorney, Charles Keefe, worked to undermine Meehan's credibility, pointing out inconsistencies in his various statements to police and his court testimonies. Keefe sought to portray Meehan as delusional and prone to conspiracy theories. Conversely, prosecutors argued that Murphy used sexual violence to dominate a child he was supposed to protect and mentor.
"As a grown man, there is no way I can stand for this," Meehan told the court during his emotional testimony.
Aftermath and Broader Legal Context
Following the verdict, defence attorney Charles Keefe stated in an email that while they believed a full acquittal was justified by the evidence, they were prepared to fight any remaining charges if prosecutors decide to retry Murphy on the five deadlocked counts. "Stephen is happy to go home to his wife and daughter," Keefe added.
The legal proceedings surrounding the youth centre abuse scandal have yielded varied outcomes. Three men—Bradley Asbury, Stanley Watson, and James Woodlock—have been convicted. Another defendant, Jonathan Brand, was acquitted, while a mistrial was declared in the case of Victor Malavet due to a deadlocked jury. Charges were dropped against Trevor Middleton, Frank Davis was declared incompetent to stand trial, and Gordon Searles died before his trial could begin. Two other men, Jeffrey Buskey and Lucien Poulette, are still awaiting trial.
On the civil side, David Meehan's lawsuit against the state remains the only such case to have gone to trial. A jury awarded him $38 million in damages last year, but the state Supreme Court is yet to rule on whether this amount will be reduced to $475,000 due to a state law that caps such payouts. Meehan testified in a separate trial that he has already received an advance of over $2 million from a third-party underwriter, which he will not have to repay regardless of the final outcome.
