Retired Circuit Judge Gilbert Smith Sr. dies at age 94

Senior Circuit Judge Gilbert Smith Sr. has died, the 12th Judicial Circuit Court announced late Tuesday afternoon.

Smith served as a 12th Judicial Circuit Judge for 20 years, presiding over many high-profile cases, but he had been living in South Carolina following his retirement. He was 94.

“To those of us who knew him, served with him, practiced with him or came before him when he served as a circuit judge, we all understand what an outstanding person, lawyer and jurist he was,” Chief Judge Charles E. Williams said in a statement. “He possessed an uncommon sense of humor, wit, intelligence and a practical sensibility about judging that all of us who serve as judges would be fortunate to possess.”

Smith, a World War II veteran, served on the circuit bench from 1971 to 1991. Among the many high-profile cases he presided over was the 1987 trial of Daniel Burns Jr., convicted of first-degree murder for killing Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Jeff Young.

Following his retirement, Smith returned to the bench to preside over the 1997 first-degree murder trial of Joseph Ciambrone, convicted in the death of his 7-year-old adopted son, Lucas.

“He leaves a legacy of public service that is unmatched, and I am fortunate enough to count him as a mentor, role model and a friend,” Williams said.

Williams said he can still recall the advice Smith gave him when he took the bench: “Just be yourself, don’t try to be anyone else and you will be fine.”

Smith also came out of retirement in June 2003 to swear-in his son, Circuit Judge Gilbert Smith Jr., as newly elected president of the Manatee County Bar Association’s board, according to Bradenton Herald archives.

At the time, Smith Sr. said he never thought any of his children, three of whom became lawyers, would follow in his footsteps.

“I didn’t think he’d ever be a lawyer, but I’m proud of him,” Smith Sr. said of his son. “It’s hard work. I wasn’t home a lot.”

Smith Sr. also returned to swear in his son as a circuit judge in 2009. Circuit Judge Gilbert Smith Jr. currently presides over one of the civil divisions of the 12th Judicial Circuit.

This story was originally published October 24, 2017 at 6:42 PM with the headline "Retired Circuit Judge Gilbert Smith Sr. dies at age 94."