PRESS RELEASE #39
Michigan Sheriff’s Office Flooded with Faxes and Email
By Staff Writer: Rick Townsend
February 16, 2006
On February 13th Vietnam combat disabled veteran Calvin Murphy of Bear Lake, Michigan was sentenced to 90 days in jail for contempt of court. Murphy has refused to honor a court order which used his Social Security Disability payments to pay alimony. Circuit Court Judge James M. Batzer claims SSDI is a divisible income and Murphy must use this money to pay spousal support or go to jail. Murphy has no minor children.
Calvin Murphy, on the other hand states he was awarded SSDI based on medical conditions he developed as the result of his combat service in Vietnam, and therefore is a earned veteran’s benefit which is protected from attachment by federal laws. Murphy also points out that SSDI is tax exempt and not considered income by the IRS. Many veterans across the country agree with Murphy’s argument and have started a movement to bring attention to the injustice facing disabled veterans in state divorce courts.
Calvin Murphy is now incarcerated in the Manistee County Jail serving out his 90 day sentence. Murphy is also on prescribed medications for several military related conditions.
Murphy is not the first to go to jail over this issue. Disabled Vietnam combat veteran Dale Van Luven of Hermitage, Tennessee was sentenced to 30 days in jail in 2004 on 12 counts of contempt for failure to pay alimony with his VA disability compensation and SSDI. Van Luven served the 30 days, but not without incident. Van Luven was denied his prescribed medication for nearly two weeks and roughed up by an over zealous jailer.
In an effort to insure this type of treatment doesn’t happen to Calvin Murphy a large number of supporters and veterans’ rights advocates have started flooding the Manistee Sheriff’s office with reminders to give Mr. Murphy his prescribed medications.
As a result, Sheriff Dale Kowalkowski’s office has released the following email.
I would like to Thank you for your concerns. I would also like to advise you that Mr. Murphy is receiving his medication on a routine basis and is under the constant care of our jail Nurse.
We are will aware of the sacrifices Mr. Murphy has made and why he is currently in our facility.
The Manistee County Sheriff's Office does take its responsibility serious and will insure that Mr. Murphy receives the care that he needs.
I do however not understand why we are being overrun with faxes and emails regarding Mr. Murphy's present situation. We are only a custodial institution and try to perform our duties just as Mr. Murphy has done. Perhaps you could benefit more by directing your concerns over the current ruling to the courts and not subject the caring staff that is providing for his needs.
Like the old Greek proverb you do not accomplish anything buy shooting the messenger.
Perhaps you could spread the word and allow us to do our jobs
Thank you.
Undersheriff Cermak
Combat disabled veteran Jere Beery has been following Murphy’s plight very closely. “I think we have accomplished our goal of insuring Calvin Murphy doesn't go through the same thing Dale Van Luven experienced in Tennessee. We have established a very large network of supporters and because of their actions I am fairly confident Murphy is receiving his medications and fair treatment,” Beery said. “I am certain Calvin Murphy appreciates our efforts,” He added. Beery suggest we send “thank you” emails and faxes to Sheriff Kowalkowski as a courtesy gesture. “We might want to turn our focus towards Judge James M. Batzer now,” Beery suggested.
Murphy friend and fellow Vietnam combat veteran James Vollink of Forgotten Man Ministries in Michigan is monitoring the Murphy situation as well. If you wish to contact James Vollink directly for updates, please do. 231-946-6279, or jimconserv@aol.com
If you would like to send a letter of support to Murphy, here is the address you should use.
C/O CALVIN MURPHY
Manistee County Jail
1525 E. Parkdale Ave.
Manistee, MI 49660
We will continue to follow this story.
For the full story, visit > http://jerebeery.com/press_releases_page.htm