Teen Charged in Brutal Beating of Sean "Murph" Murphy, More Arrests Expected

SOUTH KINGSTOWN, RI—As Sean "Murph" Murphy returns to the hospital for treatment for brain and other injuries after being savagely beaten by a group of men and boys on School Street earlier this month, one of his alleged attackers is now facing charges.

South Kingstown police said a 17-year-old boy has been charged with felony assault and is now at the Rhode Island Training School pending a hearing in Family Court.

The boy, who is "well known to the police department," police said in a news release, has faced prior charges. And he might be alone in facing chages as police work to serve justice to Murphy's others alleged assailants, who brutally punched and kicked the 39-year-old employee of Leo's Pizza in Narragansett as he walked home with a friend shortly after midnight on Aug. 12.

The attack left Murphy with severe injuries and he was hospitalized for 11 days before being released, only to be readmitted to the hospital for ongoing treatment last week.

Murphy, described by friends as a warm-hearted man who wouldn't hurt a soul, is facing the battle of his life. While police said more arrests are expected as they continue to investigate the assault, Murphy is facing medical bills in addition to physical wounds. A GoFundMe fundraiser so far has raised about $8,000 toward its $10,000 goal.

Murphy and his friend, a 29-year-old Brian Watson, came upon a group of young adults and teenagers on the sidewalk and "words were exchanged," before he was attacked.

The 17-year-old juvenile just charged allegedly struck Murphy with a closed fist, causing serious injuries to include the brain injury that has caused his lengthy hospitalization, police said.

Watson, Murphy's co-worker, said they were jumped by at least six people. They were close to home.

"I kind of cradled him to make sure they would stop kicking his head, and that's when I was kicked and had my glasses knocked off my face,” Watson told ABC6.

Link: GoFundMe for Sean Murphy