Via The Indiana Law Blog, the death of Judge Richard McIntyre of the Lawrence County Circuit Court appears to have been self-induced carbon monoxide poisoning.
This leads me to wonder how the suicide rate of judges compares to the population at large. We had a judicial suicide here in Tippecanoe County about 5 or 6 years ago. As you might expect, it was a real shame. Judge Heid was a smart, conscientious judge. He didn’t seem to have any overwhelming personal issues confronting him. But, then, I guess suicide is hardly ever rational. It would stand to reason if it is in fact the case that judges are more prone to suicide than average. They have to listen to the most awful situations that transpire in their community. And, to a greater extent than, for example, police or other lawyers who have to deal with these things as well, judges often wind up being socially isolated.
Judges have a tendency to maintain a more aloof demeanor simply because they feel a duty to uphold the dignity of the court and avoid even the appearance of impropriety. Furthermore, their friends before taking the bench are often lawyers. Those same lawyers frequently have to go in front of the judge in a professional capacity and have the judge rule in their favor. This can be detrimental to an easy back-and-forth between friends. Just how much crap are you going to give your buddy if you have to try a million dollar case in front of him next week? Basically, I think judges tend to have their social circle constrict upon taking the bench. Personal relationships remain friendly, but not necessarily close.
So, I figure relative isolation and constant exposure to the evils of the world has to take a toll. Obviously the vast majority of judges find a way to deal with it, but some do not. And, for all I know, I’m talking out of my hat — I don’t really know the situation behind Judge Heid’s suicide and know even less about Judge McIntyre’s. So, you might want to do some independent research before walking up to the nearest judge and giving him or her a hug.
I practiced once in front of Judge Heid (I think that’s the correct spelling) and found him very even-handed. While I didn’t know him at all, I was surprised when I learned that he had taken his own life.
Spelling corrected. Thanks.
I still remember the moment I found out he had committed suicide — in the bathroom shaving and heard it on the radio. I was stunned.
(As it turned out, my law partner would end up taking his place on the bench.)