Dennis Edwards Jr. facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dennis Edwards Jr.
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|---|---|
| New York Supreme Court (acting justice) | |
| In office 1980–1982 |
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| Nominated by | Robert F. Wagner |
| New York Court of Claims | |
| In office 1983–1989 |
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| Nominated by | Mario M. Cuomo |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 19, 1921 Harlem, New York |
| Died | April 13, 2017 (aged 95) New York City, New York |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Dorothy Fairclough Edwards |
| Children | Lynne Edwards Engelskirchen Denise Edwards Young |
| Residence | New York, New York |
| Alma mater | New York University Harvard Law School |
| Occupation | Judge |
| Profession | Lawyer |
Dennis Edwards Jr. (born August 19, 1921, died April 13, 2017) was an important judge in New York City. He spent many years working in the legal system, helping to make fair decisions in court.
Early Life and Education
Dennis Edwards Jr. was born in Harlem, a neighborhood in New York City. His parents were Dennis Edwards Sr. and Gladys Edwards.
He went to DeWitt Clinton High School in the Bronx, graduating in 1937. After high school, he attended New York University and finished in 1941. While studying there, he joined a local political group. This helped him prepare for a political science class. The other members encouraged him to study law.
Becoming a Judge
Edwards graduated from Harvard Law School in 1944. He then started his legal career at the Service Transportation Corporation. In 1948, he became a law secretary for the New York State Supreme Court. He worked for Justices Benjamin F. Schreiber and Henry Clay Greenberg.
In 1965, New York City Mayor Robert F. Wagner appointed Edwards as a judge. He began serving on the New York City Criminal Court. He was later reappointed to this court by Mayor John V. Lindsay in 1972 and by Mayor Edward I. Koch in 1981.
Important Cases and Later Career
In 1980, Judge Edwards became an acting justice of the New York Supreme Court. A few months later, he oversaw a very famous case. This case involved Mark David Chapman, who was accused of a serious crime.
Judge Edwards handled the case carefully. He accepted Chapman's guilty plea on June 22, 1981. Edwards explained that he would give a sentence of 20 years to life. This was because Chapman pleaded guilty voluntarily. During the formal sentencing on August 24, Judge Edwards also suggested that Chapman receive special care while in prison. An appeals court later supported Judge Edwards' decision in 1984.
In 1983, New York Governor Mario M. Cuomo nominated Edwards. He became a judge on the New York Court of Claims. He served there until he retired in 1989.
Personal Life
Dennis Edwards Jr. was married to Dorothy Fairclough. She passed away in 2016. He had two daughters, Lynne Edwards Engelskirchen and Denise Edwards Young. He also had three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
