America’s ‘nicest judge’ Frank Caprio, who drew huge online audience with his kindness, dies at 88
Rhode Island: Frank Caprio, the Rhode Island judge whose compassionate courtroom manner made him a global sensation, passed away on August 20 at the age of 88.
His death after “a long and courageous battle with pancreatic cancer” was announced through a statement on his Instagram account.
Widely known as “America’s Nicest Judge,” Caprio rose to international prominence through the television show Caught in Providence, which aired from 2000 and became an internet phenomenon years later. Clips of his empathetic judgments, often laced with humor, warmth, and kindness, attracted millions of viewers on social media, earning him a devoted following worldwide.
Born on November 24, 1936, Caprio served as a municipal judge in Providence from 1985 until his retirement in 2023. His courtroom became a symbol of compassion in justice. His most popular videos have been those where he calls children to the bench to help pass judgement on their parents.
“Beloved 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,” his family wrote in their tribute. “His warmth, humor, and kindness left an indelible mark on all who knew him.”
With nearly 3.5 million followers on his personal Instagram account and over 16 million on the show’s official page, he used his platform to highlight systemic issues such as the lack of equal access to the judicial system. In one video, he remarked, “The phrase, ‘With liberty and justice for all’ represents the idea that justice should be accessible to everyone. However, it is not.”
Even in the final years of his life, Caprio remained an advocate for fairness. Reflecting on his approach to the bench, he said in 2017: “I 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. I would hope that people will see that we can dispense justice without being oppressive.”
On social media platformX, Gov. Dan McKee called Caprio a “Rhode Island treasure” and ordered that flags in the state be flown at half-mast in his honor.
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Elder brother allegedly kills sibling over marriage dispute in Gadag
Gadag: A man has been arrested for allegedly killing his younger brother following a dispute related to marriage in Hirekoppa village of Nargund taluk on Tuesday.
According to Asianet News, the deceased has been identified as 19-year-old Fakirappa Kuravinkoppa, a shepherd from Chikkamulangi village in Belagavi district. The accused, Ashok, is his elder brother.
Police said that Ashok initially claimed that unidentified persons had killed his brother by dropping a stone on his head. However, on suspicion, he was taken into custody for questioning.
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During interrogation, Ashok reportedly confessed to the crime. Police said the dispute was related to a woman Fakirappa was engaged to marry, and the accused allegedly committed the act with the intention of marrying her.
The victim’s mother, Yallamma, said the family was not aware of such intentions and that a separate marriage proposal had already been arranged for Ashok, but he didn't like her. “I never imagined he would kill his own brother just because he wanted Fakirappa's fiancée,” Asianet News quoted Yallamma as saying.
On receiving information, the Nargund police visited the spot and began an investigation. A case has been registered, and further inquiry is underway.
