From Newsgroup: alt.obituaries

https://apnews.com/article/frank-caprio-judge-online-caught-providence- bcb75a39d8cbc988bf6444893cff844e

Frank Caprio, Rhode Island judge who drew a huge online audience with his compassion, dies at age 88

By STEVE LeBLANC
Updated 8:46 PM EDT, August 20, 2025


PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) rCo Frank Caprio, a retired municipal judge in Rhode Island who found online fame as a caring jurist and host of rCY Caught in Providence,rCY has died. He was 88.

His official social media accounts said Wednesday he rCLpassed away peacefullyrCY after rCLa long and courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.rCY

Caprio billed his courtroom as a place rCLwhere people and cases are met
with kindness and compassion.rCY He was known for dismissing tickets or showing kindness even when he handed out justice.

Last week, Caprio posted a short video on Facebook about how he had rCLa setback,rCY was back in the hospital and was asking that people rCLremember me in your prayers.rCY

CapriorCOs show was filmed in his courtroom and featured his folksy humor
and compassion. Clips from the show have had more than 1 billion views on social media.

During his time on the bench, Caprio developed a persona at odds with many
TV judges rCo more sympathetic and less confrontational and judgmental.

In his bite-sized segments on YouTube, Caprio is often seen empathizing
with those in his courtroom. Many of the infractions are also relatively minor, from failing to use a turn signal to a citation for a loud party.

Caprio also used his fame to address issues like unequal access to the judicial system.

rCLThe phrase, rCyWith liberty and justice for allrCO represents the idea that justice should be accessible to everyone. However it is not,rCY Caprio said
in one video. rCLAlmost 90% of low-income Americans are forced to battle
civil issues like health care, unjust evictions, veterans benefits and,
yes, even traffic violations, alone.rCY


CapriorCOs upbeat take on the job of a judge drew him millions of views. His most popular videos have been those where he calls children to the bench
to help pass judgment on their parents. One shows him listening sympathetically to a woman whose son was killed and then dismissing her tickets and fines of $400.

In another clip, after dismissing a red-light violation for a bartender
who was making $3.84 per hour, Caprio urged those watching the video not
to duck out on their bills.

rCLIf anyonerCOs watching I want them to know you better not eat and run because yourCOre going to get caught and the poor people who are working
hard all day for three bucks an hour are going to have to pay your bill,rCY
he said.

On social media, his family described Caprio rCLas a devoted husband,
father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend.rCY

rCLBeloved for his compassion, humility, and unwavering belief in the
goodness of people, Judge Caprio touched the lives of millions through his work in the courtroom and beyond,rCY the family wrote. rCLHis warmth, humor, and kindness left an indelible mark on all who knew him.rCY

State and local politicians mourned his passing and celebrated his life.

rCLJudge Caprio not only served the public well, but he connected with them
in a meaningful way, and people could not help but respond to his warmth
and compassion,rCY Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee said in a statement. rCLHe was more than a jurist rCo he was a symbol of empathy on the bench, showing us what is possible when justice is tempered with humanity.rCY

Robert Leonard, who co-owned a restaurant with Caprio, said he was rCLgoing
to be sorely missedrCY and was rCLall around wonderful.rCY

rCLThere is nothing he wouldnrCOt do for you if he could do it,rCY Leonard said.

Caprio retired from Providence Municipal Court in 2023 after nearly four decades on the bench.

According to his biography, Caprio came from humble beginnings, the second
of three boys growing up in the Federal Hill neighborhood of Providence,
Rhode Island.

rCLI hope that people will take away that the institutions of government can function very well by exercising kindness, fairness, and compassion in
their deliberations. We live in a very contentious society,rCY he said in 2017. rCLI would hope that people will see that we can dispense justice without being oppressive.rCY

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