Miscellaneous

Judge Justice, RIP

By Anne Skove, Esq.

Some people read obituaries to make sure they're not in them. Hannah Holborn Gray once remarked that she read obituaries as mini-histories.

The Times's obituary of Judge William Wayne Justice encapsulates the history of desegregation, with judicial activism (and its social consequences) sprinkled on like so much Texas Pete.

Made partner in his father's firm at age 7, Judge Justice grew up to remake schools, prisons, and juvenile justice in Texas. Molly Ivins loved him; Professor Lino Graglia not so much.

See William Wayne Justice, Judge Who Remade Texas, Dies at 89, Douglas Martin, NYT (October 15, 2009), and hug an activist judge!

Full post as published by court-o-rama.org on October 19, 2009 (boomark / email).