Murphy not present, pleads not guilty to 17 charges in arraignment hearing

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – Celeste Murphy, or rather her attorneys, made their first court appearance briefly Friday morning. 

Police Chief Celeste Murphy mugshot courtesy of the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office.

Murphy was not present when her attorneys pleaded not guilty to 17 charges related to falsifying government documents while serving as Chattanooga Police Chief in the Hamilton County Courthouse.

She resigned as police chief the day before she booked herself in the Hamilton County Jail.

Rule 43 of Tennessee Criminal Procedure allows a defendant to waive their right to be present for an arraignment. 

The arraignment lasted roughly 30 seconds.

The next court date in this matter will be on September 19.