U.S. PROSECUTOR HONORED IN D.C.

A federal prosecutor who helped lock away a gang of violent drug
dealers was honored last week in Washington by U.S. Attorney General
Alberto Gonzales.

Federal prosecutor Frank Sherman received an award for "Superior
Performance as an Assistant U.S. Attorney."

Sherman was honored for his role in prosecuting Anthony "Supreme"
Murphy and others. Police suspect that Murphy and four other
convicted associates were responsible for eight to 10 homicides.

In a 2003 trial, Sherman used a unique approach for Rochester in the
federal prosecution: Murphy and his colleagues were accused of
violating interstate commerce by disrupting the distribution of
illegal narcotics.

Courts have allowed the legal tactic, and it has been used elsewhere
to prosecute people accused of robbing drug dealers.

"This was the first time in Rochester we've approached these kind of
violations in this way," Sherman said.

Sherman received cooperation from others involved in the violent
conspiracy, who agreed to plead guilty to crimes and testify against
Murphy and others.

In May of this year, a federal judge sentenced Murphy to life plus 55 years.