Donovan Murphy, 30, has been sentenced to 34 years in state prison for the rape and assault of a New York City nurse. The sentence was handed down Tuesday by Justice Ann Thompson in Manhattan Supreme Court.
Murphy was convicted by a jury in April of first-degree rape, as well as burglary, robbery, and grand larceny. Prosecutors stated that on September 28, 2024, Murphy broke into the nurse's Upper East Side apartment while she was sleeping between hospital shifts. The victim testified that she awoke to find Murphy in her bed, after which he punched her repeatedly, causing a skull fracture and a gash on her mouth, before sexually assaulting her.
Following the attack, Murphy used the victim's stolen bank cards to pay for a taxi to the Bronx, where he made purchases at a pharmacy. He was arrested four days later by the NYPD’s Manhattan Special Victims Squad and had been held at Rikers Island without bail since his arrest.
During the sentencing, Murphy's public defender argued for a 10-year sentence. However, Justice Thompson rejected this, stating that regardless of the sentence, the victim would continue to feel the effects of the crime. The victim, who has since returned to her home state of Vermont, was not present for the sentencing.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg commended the sentence, stating, "Today’s sentence holds Donovan Murphy accountable for this horrific attack on a nurse while she was sleeping in her own apartment." He added, "We will continue to support survivors of rape and sexual violence and vigorously prosecute these matters."
Upon his release from prison, Murphy will be subject to 20 years of supervised release and a lifetime restraining order prohibiting him from contacting the victim.