Free Republic

A state court judge in southeast Georgia died by apparent suicide early Tuesday while sitting on the bench in his courtroom, authorities confirmed. Effingham County State Court Judge Stephen Yekel, 74, died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, a spokesperson for the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office said. He said deputies found Yekel dead inside the courthouse around 10 a.m.

A Georgia state judge has taken his own life inside his courtroom. The body of Judge Stephen Yekel was discovered inside Effingham County State Court on Tuesday morning. He is believed to have shot himself dead. Yekel, 74, had recently lost a bid for re-election and was found by a deputy on what would have been his last day on the bench, WSAV reports. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is now probing the horrific incident. Effingham County Sheriff Jimmy McDuffie said Yekel was discovered around 10am, but it appeared he had shot himself late Monday night or early Tuesday. Yekel...