Litigation

RIP, Judge John Roll

By Carter Wood

A news release posted at the U.S. District Court of Arizona:

The U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona has suffered a grievous loss today with the untimely death of Chief Judge John M. Roll, who was shot and killed when a gunman opened fire on a crowd at an event hosted by Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords in Tucson, Arizona. Judge Roll was appointed to the federal bench in 1991, and served as chief judge of the district since 2006. The devoted husband, father of three, grandfather of five, and friend to all who knew him, will be greatly missed by his family and community. He was a warm, compassionate judge and inspirational leader in what is one of the busiest districts in the country. His death will leave a significant void in the District of Arizona and the entire federal judiciary, and we are all deeply saddened. posted at the website of the U.S. District Court of Arizona.

Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) issued a statement on the passing of Judge Roll. McCain recommended Roll to President George H.W. Bush for the federal judgeship in 1991.

• The Arizona Republic, "Judge John Roll respected among peers"
• WSJ Law Blog, "Law Blog Obituary: Arizona Federal Judge, John Roll, 63."
• Los Angeles Times, "Roberts: Judiciary has suffered a terrible loss in Arizona shootings"
• Legal writer Andrew Cohen, The Atlantic, demanding increased judicial security, "Don't Let Judge Roll Die In Vain." (Should federal marshalls accompany federal judges to every public event?)

Full post as published by Point of Law on January 09, 2011 (boomark / email).