Former pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice J. Michael Eakin Dies at 76
J. Michael Eakin, a former Justice of the pennsylvania Supreme Court, passed away Tuesday at Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical center. He was 76 years old. Eakin’s career was marked by both notable contributions to Pennsylvania’s legal system and a controversial end.
A Lifetime of Public Service
Debra Todd, chief Justice of Pennsylvania, acknowledged Eakin’s dedication to public service in a statement released Tuesday afternoon:
Justice Eakin pursued a lifetime of public service, first as Cumberland County District Attorney, then as a member of the Pennsylvania judiciary for 21 years, including the Superior Court for six years, from 1996-2001, when he was elected Justice of the Supreme Court, where he served until 2016.
Chief Justice debra Todd
Todd extended her condolences to Eakin’s wife, Heidi, and his family and friends. Heidi Eakin, an attorney and Eakin’s wife of 32 years, described the loss as devastating
, but expressed her readiness to let her husband rest in peace.
Did You know?
Before his ascent to the Supreme Court, J. Michael Eakin worked as a taxi-driving legal assistant. He was initially denied admission to law school, demonstrating his perseverance and eventual success in the legal field.
From Taxi Driver to Supreme Court Justice
Eakin’s journey to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court was far from conventional.His career path included a stint as a taxi-driving legal assistant after being initially rejected from law school. Despite this setback, he persevered, eventually earning his law degree and embarking on a distinguished legal career.
Ronald Castille,who served alongside Eakin on the high court until 2014,including six years as chief justice,described him as officially,a character.
castille emphasized that eakin’s legacy should not be solely defined by controversy:
His contributions to the law,and to the enforcement of the law as a district attorney,far outweigh his participation in what they called ‘Porngate.’ He was a good colleague and a thoughtful justice,
Ronald Castille, Former Chief Justice of Pennsylvania
Castille added that Eakin had a knack for making people arguing before the court feel more comfortable.
A colorful Life
Before his statewide prominence, Eakin was known for his vibrant personality and unconventional approach to life. Consider these aspects of his life:
- Avid Fisherman: Eakin pursued fishing with passion, traveling to exotic locations like Key West and South America. His calendar revolved around an annual excursion to Alaska.
- Marriages: Eakin was married four times and maintained positive relationships with his former wives, two of whom even worked the polls for him during his judicial races.
- Creative Legal Mind: Eakin served as a prosecutor, battled for the elected district attorney’s position in Cumberland county, and became a state Supreme Court justice, where he occasionally wrote opinions in rhyme.
There’s no reason you have to be dull,
Eakin once said about his poetic legal efforts.
Early Life and Career
Born in Mechanicsburg in 1948 to John and Lillian Eakin, his father was an attorney.After a self-described lackluster academic career
at franklin & Marshall College, Eakin faced initial rejection from Dickinson School of Law in Carlisle in 1970.
For two years, Eakin assisted his father, drove a taxi, and served in the National Guard while pursuing his legal aspirations. In 1972, he was admitted to law school, where he developed his interest in criminal law and prosecution.
Your trying to accomplish something that’s good… Not just something that’s good for one person who’s paying you to do it; but something that’s good for the community as a whole,
J. Michael Eakin, The Carlisle Sentinel, 1987
Eakin made this statement while concluding his first term as Cumberland County’s elected District Attorney.
Ascension to the State Arena
Eakin’s work on regional drug enforcement, drunk-driving crackdowns, and victim/witness services gained statewide recognition, leading to his presidency of the Pennsylvania District Attorney’s Association.This platform propelled him into statewide politics.
Upon announcing his 1995 run for Superior Court, Eakin noted that he had often urged other prosecutors to run for Pennsylvania’s appellate courts to help balance
what he perceived as too many defense-friendly rulings. He won his race for Superior Court in 1995 and was elected to the state supreme Court in 2001.
Pro Tip
When evaluating a public figure’s career, consider the entirety of their contributions and actions. While controversies may draw attention, it’s important to weigh them against their broader impact and achievements.
Controversies and Downfall
Eakin’s career was not without controversy. During his 1995 campaign for Superior court, he faced scrutiny over his previous marriages and a lawsuit to increase his prosecutor’s salary. He also faced accusations of making a sexist comment, wich he denied saying verbatim but admitted to making a joke during a panel discussion that apparently some took offense to.
His tenure on the Supreme Court ended prematurely due to his involvement in an email scandal. An investigation revealed that Eakin had participated in a ribald email chain with other judges and attorneys, sharing off-color sexual and ethnic jokes. One email,in particular,drew criticism for its insensitive portrayal of domestic violence.
While some colleagues defended Eakin,emphasizing his sensitivity to domestic violence,the controversy led to his forced resignation in March 2016.
Peg dierker, then the executive director of the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence, stated that such humor reveals an underlying attitude about groups of people who will come before the court and need a judge to be fair and impartial.
Post-Bench Years
After resigning from the bench, Eakin retained his law license and served in an of counsel
capacity with the Mechanicsburg law firm Walters & Galloway. He resided in West Donegal Township, lancaster County, with his wife, Heidi.
