Pubdate: Tue, 01 Nov 2005
Source: Rochester Democrat and Chronicle (NY)
Copyright: 2005 Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
Contact:  http://www.democratandchronicle.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/614
Author: Gary Craig

U.S. PROSECUTOR HONORED IN D.C.

A federal prosecutor who helped lock away a gang of violent drug 
dealers was honored last week in Washington by U.S. Attorney General 
Alberto Gonzales.

Federal prosecutor Frank Sherman received an award for "Superior 
Performance as an Assistant U.S. Attorney."

Sherman was honored for his role in prosecuting Anthony "Supreme" 
Murphy and others. Police suspect that Murphy and four other 
convicted associates were responsible for eight to 10 homicides.

In a 2003 trial, Sherman used a unique approach for Rochester in the 
federal prosecution: Murphy and his colleagues were accused of 
violating interstate commerce by disrupting the distribution of 
illegal narcotics.

Courts have allowed the legal tactic, and it has been used elsewhere 
to prosecute people accused of robbing drug dealers.

"This was the first time in Rochester we've approached these kind of 
violations in this way," Sherman said.

Sherman received cooperation from others involved in the violent 
conspiracy, who agreed to plead guilty to crimes and testify against 
Murphy and others.

In May of this year, a federal judge sentenced Murphy to life plus 55 years.
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