Cecil Murphy sentenced in Rockhampton court for car arson

A father suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder after the tragic drowning death of his toddler torched a car after he was subjected to keyboard warriors’ abuse.

Cecil Murphy, and his wife Tahlia Eason, also known as Tahlia Brown, are both charged with one count each of arson.

A father suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder after the tragic drowning death of his toddler took the law into his own hands after he was subjected to keyboard warriors’ abuse.

Cecil Murphy’s 17-month-old daughter Taidyn Murphy, affectionately known as ‘baby Totty’ by her family, died from cardiac arrest after drowning in the family’s spa on September 19, 2022.

He was sentenced this week for arson in Rockhampton District Court for torching a car at Taigum, a northern suburb of Brisbane, two months after Totty’s death.

The court heard Murphy and allegedly two co-accused drove from Gracemere to Taigum and torched a $5,500 uninsured car belonging to one of the online bullies.

The two co-accused, including his wife, Tahlia Eason/Brown, have not yet had their matters finalised in court.

Ms Brown was charged with one count of arson.

The main bully, a former lover of Murphy’s, and two of her friends sent Murphy and his wife multiple messages following Totty’s death, the court heard.

Defence barrister Jordan Ahlstrand said one of them essentially called his client a “child killer”.

He said Murphy, who was caring for the couple’s children on the day of the drowning, was distracted caring for another child when Totty drowned.

Ms Brown was at work.

There is no suggestion either Mr Murphy or Ms Brown were responsible for the tragic death and they are not accused of any wrongdoing.

Mr Ahlstrand said his client had suffered from PTSD, depression and anxiety since the tragedy and these were “amplified” by the abuse from people “hiding behind profiles” on social media platforms.

He said the bullies accused Murphy of child neglect and one commented Murphy should be charged with homicide over the incident.

Mr Ahlstrand said his client’s “vigilante justice” action was a “foolish” decision and he had sought help from a psychiatrist for his mental health issues.

Judge Jeff Clarke, who did not condone the bullying by keyboard warriors, said Murphy’s reaction to the bullies when he torched the car was “thoroughly inappropriate”.

He said copies of some of the messages between the parties provided to him would meet the criteria for a Commonwealth criminal offence, including a threat to kill.

“Perhaps instead of spreading their vile hatred, they should log off and get a life,” Judge Clarke.

He said the two character references provided stated this behaviour was out of character for Murphy, who does not have a Queensland criminal record but does have a dated New South Wales history for property offending.

The part-time roofer pleaded guilty to one count of arson and was sentenced to 2.5 years prison, which was wholly suspended with an operational period of 2.5 years.