Judge Frank Caprio, the Rhode Island judge whose compassion on the bench made him a viral star of "Caught in Providence," has died at 88 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. David Begnaud, who spent time with Caprio, reflects on his legacy.

Providence

Judge Frank Caprio, former Chief Judge of the Municipal Court in Providence, Rhode Island, is being remembered for his compassion and service. Caprio, who gained international recognition through his television show 'Caught in Providence', was known for his empathetic and humorous approach in the courtroom. 

Caprio openly shared his battle with pancreatic cancer, hoping to inspire others facing similar challenges. His personal experiences with hardship and his father's advice to 'put yourself in their shoes' shaped his 38-year career. Caprio encouraged people to cherish life, family, and to show compassion to others.

David Begnaud remembers Rhode Island's Judge Frank Caprio

I'm coming to you again, asking you to remember me in your prayers. People everywhere were praying after seeing Judge Frank Caprio's last public message, following a health setback in his ongoing battle against pancreatic cancer. He rang that bell in 2024, marking a milestone in his treatment, which filled this devout Catholic with hope. Why did you want to go public with it? Well, I really thought I could be an inspiration to other people if I survived. You are an inspiration, as you are surviving. So far, so good. So far, so good. It's not a pleasant experience to go to bed at night and say your prayers. Judge Caprio gained a fan base from his TV show, Caught in Providence, which highlighted his job as the Chief Judge of the Municipal Court in Rhode Island's capital city. How about $35 court costs? Yes. How about five days in jail? Yes. The humor and the mercy that he showed from the bench is what made him an international star. I'll leave here with $5. Thank you, Your Honor. I'm not going to leave you with $5. I'm not going to leave you. I'm going to dismiss everything. That empathy for others stemmed from the hardships that he faced in his own life. He grew up in abject poverty as the child of Italian immigrants. Every time you talk, it's like a testimony. You're like a little street preacher from the bench. I'm just a small-time Municipal Court judge who's trying to do good. That's all I am. Who tries to take into consideration the circumstances surrounding the people before me. And remember what my dad told me, when someone appears before you, put yourself in their shoes. Imagine it's you before them. For 38 years, he used that podium to do good. You were taking your son to the doctor's office? Yeah. I take him for blood work every two weeks because he's got cancer. How old is your son? 63. Yeah. And you still, daddy's still taking care of him, right? I only drive when I have to. Yeah. I wish you all the best. I wish the best for your son. And I wish you good health. And your case is dismissed. No one could dismiss his humanity, or the advice he left us right up until the end. Enjoy every minute of your life. Be close to your family. Be close to your friends, and have compassion and understanding of other people.

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