Frank Caprio, Rhode Island’s friendly and folksy municipal judge turned YouTube star, dies at 88

His official accounts on social media said on Wednesday that he “died in peace” after a “long and courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.”

Cabrio described the court hall as a place “where people and cases are kind and mercy.” He was known to reject tickets or show kindness even when he greeted justice.

Last week, Caprio posted a short video on Facebook about how it was a “setback”, he returned to the hospital and was asking people, “Remember me in your prayers.”

The Cabrio show was filmed in the courtroom and the presentation of humor and mercy. Sections of the show had more than a billion views on social media.

During his time on the bench, Cabrio developed a character, at odds with many TV judges – more sympathetic, less confrontation and wise.

In its sectors, the size of a bite on YouTube, Caprio often sees sympathy with those in the courtroom. Many of the violations are relatively simple, from the failure to use the turning signal to the martyrdom of a high party.

Caprio also used its fame to address cases such as unequal access to the judicial system.

“The phrase” with freedom and justice is for all, “Cabrio said in one video. “Nearly 90 % of low -income Americans are forced to fight civil issues such as health care, unfair evacuation, the benefits of old warriors, and yes, even traffic violations, alone.”

The optimistic Caprio took the function of the judge attracted by millions of views. The most popular videos were the ones that children connect to the bench to help issue their parents. One appears to him as he listens with sympathy with a woman who was killed by her son, then rejected her tickets and lovers of $ 400.

In another clip, after refusing to violate the red light of the penetration, which was $ 3.84 per hour, Cabrio urged those who watched the video not to get rid of their bills.

He said: “If any person is watching, then I want to know that it is better not to eat and run because you will be busy and the poor who work hard throughout the day for three dollars per hour pay your bill.”

His fame has reached China, where clips of his display have been loaded on social media in recent years. Some fans there published his death, smart and united with the humanity he showed in his rulings.

His family described Cabrio “as a loyal, father, grandfather, grandfather and friend.”

The family wrote online: “He is loved because of his sympathy, humility and his steadfast belief in people, Judge Cabrio touched the lives of millions through his work in the courtroom and beyond.” “He left his defense and the spirit of humor and kindness is an indelible sign of everyone who knew him.”

The local government and political politicians saddened his death and celebrated his life.

“Judge Cabrio not only served the audience well, but he was associated with it in a meaningful way, and people could only respond to his warmth and mercy,” said Rudd Island Dan Makki in a statement. “It was more than just a legal – it was a symbol of sympathy for the bench, and showed us what is possible when justice was reduced to humanity.”

Robert Leonard, who participated in a restaurant with Cabrio, said he would “miss” and was “everywhere great.”

Leonard said: “There is nothing that he will not do for you if he could do that.”

Cabrio retired from the Bruntins Municipal Court in 2023 after nearly four decades on the bench.

According to his biography, Cabrio came from modest beginnings, the second of three children who grew up in the Federal Hill neighborhood of Proventins, Rod Island.

He said in 2017: “I hope that people will take away government institutions very well by exercising kindness, fairness and sympathy for their deliberations. We live in a very controversial society. I hope people see that we can offer justice without being lucky.”

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Lieblank, a Associated Press journalist who retired in January, was the main writer of this obituary. The Associated Press Michael Casey in Boston and Audrey Board in Honolulu and Ken Morestogo in Beijing.

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