He is also the jurist who created litigation panels of judges from different federal judicial districts to consider similar cases from those districts. Murrah had a reputation as a direct, demanding judge. Similar descriptions could apply to U.S. District Judge Richard Matsch, who is presiding over Timothy McVeigh's trial in connection with the Murrah building bombing, and, later, that of co-defendant Terry Nichols. Lawyers who have worked with Matsch over the years say he runs a tight ship, gets furious with lawyers who come to court unprepared and won't put up with courtroom antics. Murrah also dispensed legal advice from the bench.
Stories vary about the nickname's origin.
Others said it was because of his eyes, which to some seemed fishlike. An active Democrat, Murrah taught an adult Sunday school class for nearly 40 years at Crown Heights Methodist Church. He even took out a personal loan to help the congregation build the church. But he never spoke of his early childhood, his daughters said. She doesn't remember ever meeting her grandfather and doesn't believe Alfred Murrah ever saw him again after leaving home as a boy.