Richard J. Daronco
Encyclopedia
Richard Joseph Daronco was a federal
judge
in the United States
.
Daronco was born in New York City
. He graduated from Providence College
and Albany Law School
, and practiced law in White Plains, New York
from 1959 to 1971. In 1971, Daronco began his judicial career as a Judge of the New York Family Court
for Westchester County, on which he served from 1971 to 1974. Daronco served on the Westchester County Court
from 1974 to 1979, and as a Justice of the New York State Supreme Court from 1979 to 1987.
In 1987, President
Ronald Reagan
nominated Daronco to serve as a judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York
. Daronco was confirmed and took office on May 7, 1987.
In April 1988, Judge Daronco presided over a bench trial in a sex discrimination and sexual harassment case, in which the plaintiff represented herself. On May 19, 1988, Daronco issued a written decision holding in the defendant employer's favor and dismissing the case. Two days later, Charles L. Koster, a retired New York City police officer and the father of the unsuccessful plaintiff, shot and killed Judge Daronco while the judge was doing yardwork at his home. Koster then committed suicide.
Daronco is one of three federal judges to have been killed in the line of duty in the twentieth century, together with John H. Wood, Jr.
and Robert Smith Vance
. The Westchester County Courthouse in White Plains, where Daronco had worked for many years as a state court judge, was later renamed in his memory, as was the municipal building in the town of Pelham, where Daronco lived.
United States federal courts
The United States federal courts make up the judiciary branch of federal government of the United States organized under the United States Constitution and laws of the federal government.-Categories:...
judge
Judge
A judge is a person who presides over court proceedings, either alone or as part of a panel of judges. The powers, functions, method of appointment, discipline, and training of judges vary widely across different jurisdictions. The judge is supposed to conduct the trial impartially and in an open...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Daronco was born in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. He graduated from Providence College
Providence College
Providence College is a private, coeducational, Catholic university located about two miles west of downtown Providence, Rhode Island, United States, the state's capital city. With a 2010–2011 enrollment of 3,850 undergraduate students and 735 graduate students, the College specializes in academic...
and Albany Law School
Albany Law School
Albany Law School is an ABA accredited law school based in Albany, New York. It was founded in 1851 by Amos Dean , Amasa Parker, Ira Harris and others....
, and practiced law in White Plains, New York
White Plains, New York
White Plains is a city and the county seat of Westchester County, New York, United States. It is located in south-central Westchester, about east of the Hudson River and northwest of Long Island Sound...
from 1959 to 1971. In 1971, Daronco began his judicial career as a Judge of the New York Family Court
Family court
A family court is a court convened to decide matters and make orders in relation to family law, such as custody of children. In common-law jurisdictions "family courts" are statutory creations primarily dealing with equitable matters devolved from a court of inherent jurisdiction, such as a...
for Westchester County, on which he served from 1971 to 1974. Daronco served on the Westchester County Court
County Court
A county court is a court based in or with a jurisdiction covering one or more counties, which are administrative divisions within a country, not to be confused with the medieval system of county courts held by the High Sheriff of each county.-England and Wales:County Court matters can be lodged...
from 1974 to 1979, and as a Justice of the New York State Supreme Court from 1979 to 1987.
In 1987, President
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
nominated Daronco to serve as a judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York
United States District Court for the Southern District of New York
The United States District Court for the Southern District of New York is a federal district court. Appeals from the Southern District of New York are taken to the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit The United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (in case...
. Daronco was confirmed and took office on May 7, 1987.
In April 1988, Judge Daronco presided over a bench trial in a sex discrimination and sexual harassment case, in which the plaintiff represented herself. On May 19, 1988, Daronco issued a written decision holding in the defendant employer's favor and dismissing the case. Two days later, Charles L. Koster, a retired New York City police officer and the father of the unsuccessful plaintiff, shot and killed Judge Daronco while the judge was doing yardwork at his home. Koster then committed suicide.
Daronco is one of three federal judges to have been killed in the line of duty in the twentieth century, together with John H. Wood, Jr.
John H. Wood, Jr.
John Howland Wood, Jr. was an American lawyer and judge from the U.S. state of Texas. He served on the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas before being assassinated by Charles Harrelson outside Wood's home in San Antonio, Texas, in 1979. Wood's killing was the first...
and Robert Smith Vance
Robert Smith Vance
Robert Smith Vance was a United States federal judge. He is one of the few judges in American history to have been assassinated as the result of his judicial service.-Early life and career:...
. The Westchester County Courthouse in White Plains, where Daronco had worked for many years as a state court judge, was later renamed in his memory, as was the municipal building in the town of Pelham, where Daronco lived.