Grand Old Police Blotter: Deja Vu All Over Again Edition

When I came across a story of a 30-something Young Republican leader from the Midwest sexually assaulting an incapacitated 22 year old, I thought I had already blogged that story a little over a week ago.

Turns out the story involves a different 30-something Young Republican leader from the Midwest who allegedly sexually assaulted an incapacitated 22 year old. Here's the story, as reported by an Indiana newspaper:

The chairman of the Clark County Republican Party, who last month was elected president of the Young Republican National Federation, has resigned both posts, apparently in the wake of a criminal investigation.

On Tuesday, Glenn Murphy Jr. e-mailed media a letter announcing his resignation from both positions, citing an unexpected business opportunity that would prohibit him from holding a partisan political office.

However, on Friday the Clark County Sheriff’s Department began investigating Murphy for alleged criminal deviate conduct — potentially a class B felony — after speaking with a 22-year-old man who claims that on July 31, Murphy performed an unwanted sex act on him while the man slept in a relative's Jeffersonville home.

Murphy, a 33-year-old Utica resident, has not been arrested nor has he been charged with a crime. Such police reports are generally confidential, but a copy of it has been posted on a politically focused Internet site and another was provided to a reporter with The Evening News and The Tribune on Tuesday evening.

Larry Wilder, Murphy's attorney, said Murphy is cooperating with police and Prosecutor Steve Stewart. Wilder said Murphy contends the sex act was consensual.

It's hard to keep track of these Young Republican leaders without a police lineup.

The main differences between Young Republican Flory and Young Republican Murphy are that Murphy hasn't entered a guilty plea and his alleged victim is a man. The latter fact, of course, should have no bearing on the punishment if Murphy is convicted.

A week ago, the "Team Murphy" website was celebrating Glenn's nomination to head the Young Republicans. Now, the website has gone silent. (The remainder Team Murphy seems to have survived Glenn's departure.)

Interestingly, Murphy's explanation for his departure was that he landed a political consulting opportunity which didn't allow him to be a partisan. It was as a political consultant that Glenn advised, "Remaining in control of both identity and message were the keys to an effective paid media campaign." Spin doctor, heal thyself.

As always, Republicans -- like all Americans -- are innocent until proven guilty.

Update (8/8): Other similarities to the Flory case, according to the police report (found here): The alleged assault took place at a Young Republican party at which alcohol was served and the complainant became intoxicated.

Similar allegations were made against Murphy nine years ago. Murphy's attorney says no action was taken on that occassion.

Also: In an abundance of caution, please note that the subject of this post is not the Glenn Murphy who was named the new chairman of Gap, Inc., and is a Canadian.