Posted on 09/22/2015 4:22:00 AM PDT by afraidfortherepublic
Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice N. Patrick Crooks died Monday at the court in Madison.
Crooks, 77, had announced last week he would not seek re-election at the end of his term next year. He was in his 39th year as a Wisconsin jurist, with nearly 20 as a member of the state's high court.
Crooks did not appear in person for oral arguments before the court on Friday, though he listened on Wisconsin Eye and participated in votes, Chief Justice Patience Roggensack said then.
He did come to work on Monday for an administrative hearing, but excused himself before the session was over and was later found dead in his chambers.
"Justice Crooks was an outstanding jurist, a thoughtful decision-maker and a colleague with a wonderful Irish sense of humor," Roggensack said. "In addition to having served as a circuit court judge and on the Supreme Court, Justice Crooks made significant contributions to the legal profession as a lawyer and a teacher. He was a good friend and colleague, and he will be greatly missed by all."
Three people had announced they were running for Crooks' position before his formal announcement of his retirement. They include Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Joseph Donald and Court of Appeals judges JoAnne Kloppenburg and Rebecca Bradley. A primary would be held in February and a general election April 5.
Donald said he was devastated by the news of Crooks' death.
"He devoted his life to public service and to serving justice for the people of Wisconsin," Donald said. "He was dedicated to the law, to truth, and to justice, and this is truly a sad day for our state. We offer our heartfelt condolences to his family, and pray for peace and comfort."
(Excerpt) Read more at jsonline.com ...
The liberals are already flocking to declare that they are running to take this open seat. Will Walker appoint, or leave the seat open for the battle? Perhaps Shirley Abrahamson will declare her candidacy and thus secure 2 votes for hersef (sarc/off)!
FReep Mail me if you want on, or off, this Wisconsin interest ping list.
walker was needed at home
Absolutely! The nation’s loss is Wisconsin’s gain.
Governor Walker needs to appoint a very strong conservative to the court ASAP.
Agreed! Still lots to do in our Great State!
Any Conservative running for that spot had better wear a bullet-proof vest and iron underwear.
The LibTards in Madistan will be out to do bodily harm this time!
Get Rebecca Bradley in there now and let her be the incumbent in the spring election. It will drive Abrahamson so crazy that maybe she’ll finally leave the Court.
Rebecca Bradley is the conservative candidate who actually put her papers in last week.
Been getting a ton of emails promoting her. Was only recently appointed to the Court of Appeals by Walker. Wasn’t prepared to run this last time and I think was waiting for the Crooks retirement to run.
Works for me!
RIP.
Was this one of our Justices?
“Our” Justices, meaning one of the Conservative block? He was elected as a Conservative, but his votes turned out to be rather unpredictable. Every liberal who has run for a seat on the WisSC in the past 15 years is circling with a vengence and declaring (or is about to declare) candidacy for this seat.
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