Murphy v. State

OPINION

On November 9, 1988, appellant William Milton Murphy (Murphy) was driving his blue pickup truck (pickup) on grazing land owned by the federal government in Esmeralda County, Nevada. Employees of a nearby ranch became suspicious of Murphy and called the sheriif. The sheriff determined that Murphy was cattle rustling; thus, Murphy was arrested and charged with grand larceny, conspiracy to commit grand larceny, and three counts of possession of a controlled substance.

Two and one-half years later, and immediately preceding trial, the district attorney dismissed the grand larceny and…