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KARATE INSTRUCTOR ARRESTED (Story update 11/05/06)
Last month we wrote about the arrest of South Florida karate instructor and FBBA Rep., Murphy Gonzalez.  Mr. Gonzalez, known to many as “Murphy” was charged with battery after striking karate tournament host and promoter, Edward “Corey” Tucker of Homestead, Florida.  Many of the readers who know Murphy Gonzalez (known to many simply as Murphy) were not surprise about his behavior while others not familiar with him were understandably offended by the incident and troubled that many organizations like the FBBA do little to address such issues. Some of you asked if there was a photo available to identify Murphy.  We were able to attain Murphy's booking photo and a copy of the police report, which states the following. “On listed date and time, this officer was dispatched to Homestead Senior High School reference a riot. Miami Dade Police advised their officers, along with Homestead Police Officers were on scene at said school and requesting additional units responded priority. Upon arrival, this officer along with Oft. Tangretti. MDSPD, ID# 540, witnessed a large crowd of spectators and participants in attendance reference a Karate tournament running from the school. This officer spoke with Edward Tucker, victim and coordinator for the event. According to Tucker, his karate studio was holding a tournament at said school when one of the judges, Murphy Gonzalez, approached him and became verbally confrontational with him regarding a decision he made. Tucker further explained that Gonzalez turned slightly away from him and then turned back toward him, at which time Gonzalez intentionally and without provocation struck Tucker in the mouth with his left fist, lacerating his lip. Tucker refused medical treatment on scene. Additionally, Ramon Rosado, witness and spectator, advised he was recording the tournament and captured the incident on video. A review of Rosado's camera supports Tucker's allegation. Rosado stated be would provide a copy of said video to Det. Connie Smith, Homestead Police Dept. to be forwarded to Miami Dade Schools PD. Gonzalez was taken into custody without incident. Gonzalez was treated and released by Miami Dade Fire Rescue on scene and later transported to TGK.” A few of the readers expressed the need for an oversight committee to deal with necessary regulations that some organizations may ignore. This is something that the Martial Arts Foundation has been encouraging for years.  Perhaps some good may comes out of the Homestead incident if serious martial artists (i.e. individuals who place honor and integrity before ego and greed) would formulate a committee that would focus on martial art activities and behaviors that are not suitable for social order. (Read original story below).

MIAMI KARATE INSTRUCTOR ARRESTED IN HOMESTEAD 10/23/08
Karate instructor Murphy Gonzalez of Murphy’s Karate Academy was charged with battery and disorderly conduct on Saturday, October 18th in Homestead, Florida. Police arrested the individual at a local martial arts tournament after he was witnessed punching tournament promoter and host, Cory Tucker, the in the face.  According to witnesses Murphy became upset after Tucker confronted him about alleged efforts to "stacked the deck" in order that his students, who were competing in the event, may gain an unfair advantage over other competitors. Murphy, a representative of the Florida Black Belts Association (FBBA) that sanctioned the event, was working the tournament with other FBBA officials. It was said that Murphy attempted to manipulate the outcome of the matches. Being an official he substituted the intended group of experienced mature judges already assigned to the competition ring with his own hand picked group of less experienced judges all under 15 years of age. Murphy was also accused of having one of his own black belt students serve as center judge. Others stated that his attempts to control the outcome of the fights did not stop there. It was said that he also rearranged the line up of fighters that had already gone through a selection process. Both the substitution of judges compounded with the rearrangement of fighters opened the door for criticism. Such actions would be a violation of basic tournament rules, which raised questions about Murphy's sense of ethics and fair play. When other officials exposed what Murphy was doing Tucker, as chief official and promoter, was asked to address the issue and render a ruling. Apparently Tucker's decision did not sit well with Murphy after being confronted about the matter.  Thus, Murphy sucker punched Tucker without warning.  The assault ensued into a riot causing onlookers including small children to scramble for cover. Some children were injured and clearly traumatized after witnessing the ordeal while others stood in disbelief from watching unsuspecting Tucker being knocked off his feet. The incident was serious enough that a number of police officers were called on the site to regain order.  Upon arrival, police were able to finally take control of the situation and question witnesses. After viewing the videotape of an attending spectator, showing the altercation, Murphy was taken into custody. Tucker later sought medical attention and received stitches for a gash to his mouth and treated for other abrasions.  Tucker is described as a mild-mannered individual who enjoys working with kids.   In fact, it is Tucker's pleasant demeanor that causes many to condemn Murphy's action. Unfortunately, this is not the first time that Murphy has been the catalyst of a physical altercation during a public forum and is notorious for inciting arguments. Some of his past set offs resulted in physical confrontations among competitors, instructors and even a few spectators during what otherwise would have been an enjoyable family event. A number of complaints have been raised against Murphy and some of his associates for similar past behavior with no satisfactory resolution. Many of his past disagreements resulted in fisticuffs between competitors and/or instructors.  What makes the Homestead situation more disturbing than others is the fact that the primary victim was the tournament host.  This brings the level of disrespect to an all-time high while honor and integrity is at an all-time low. Martial arts associations are failing to adequately regulate and when appropriate, condemn behavior that is counterproductive to the development of its members. Any rational minded person would find it difficult to accept when organizations allow individuals especially representatives to consistently undermine the relationship of its supporters. Individuals like Murphy create an environment that discourages the growth of people who seek a safe and entertaining environment.  Another instructor stated Murphy targeted them at a tournament only of the few weeks prior to the Homestead incident. This individual states that during that occasion they were subjected to an enormous amount of profanity as they stood in the presence of their students, some of them being children. A different source claims to have witnessed Murphy attacked and knocked out a fellow instructor without provocation at an event one year ago. It should be said that that these confrontations with Murphy occurred as judges or spectators not competitors.  There are many other accounts that can be made by independent sources describing Murphy as an individual out of control.  The question is what are the organizations doing about it?  Many individuals that commented about Murphy and others like him say that karate associations have done very little to address these issues.  They appear to turn their heads from bad behavior just to make extra tournament dollars. This will ultimately take us down the road to social disaster. The reputation of the modern-day martial artists will continue to lose respect if associations do not make serious changes on how it governs its participants. Murphy's actions warrant criminal and civil liability. Hopefully, he will face the music and become a better person in the future. But Murphy should not face the music alone. There is plenty of blame to go around.  Martial arts associations are urged to reflect on the Murphy's of the world and seek ways to mitigate their liability from knowingly fostering individuals with pre-disposed bad behavior. Cory Tucker should reevaluate his behavior leading up to the Homestead chaos as well.   No one disagrees that Tucker had every right to manage his event as he saw fit.  There were some who stated that he could have raised the bar slightly higher for himself when dealing with Murphy.  Hindsight is always 20/20 and it is always easy to be the backseat driver or to criticize without direct involvement.  But we are all guilty of allowing the type of behavior that occurred last week - although some of us are in denial.  There are individuals in leadership positions who step back without speaking out or providing crucial guidance to the members when needed. Some seek quick gratification from acquiring awards or money and do not hold to the values that were instrumental in maintaining the true spirit of martial arts competition. If we do not make changes and make them fast our children will suffer due to a shortage of good role models.   Murphy was charged with battery and disorderly conduct. He was able to bailout paying a $2000 bond.	Murphy Gonzalez at Homestead tournament