Smith County agrees to repay some withheld wages to its ousted sheriff.

Republicans chose Ellsworth Murphy as sheriff last summer after the previous sheriff resigned. Murphy had been sheriff from 1989 to 1991 but was forced to resign after being convicted of official misconduct in office and one misdemeanor count of illegal eavesdropping.

Murphy's certification was revoked in April. He was recalled in May, shortly after County Attorney Allen Shelton advised the county to stop paying him.

That $3,900 before withholdings has been given back to Murphy. Almost $1,600 has been given to Murphy's attorney and son for what is deemed ``reasonable attorney fees.''

The attorney representing Smith County said it was unclear whether the pay should have been withheld, and the amount involved wasn't worth continued litigation.