Malcolm Muir (judge)

Malcolm Muir
Senior Judge of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania
In office
August 31, 1984 – July 22, 2011
Judge of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania
In office
October 14, 1970 – August 31, 1984
Appointed byRichard Nixon
Preceded bySeat established by 84 Stat. 294
Succeeded byEdwin Michael Kosik
Personal details
Born
Malcolm Muir

(1914-10-20)October 20, 1914
Englewood, New Jersey, U.S.
DiedJuly 22, 2011(2011-07-22) (aged 96)
Williamsport, Pennsylvania, U.S.
EducationLehigh University (B.A.)
Harvard Law School (LL.B.)

Malcolm Muir (October 20, 1914 – July 22, 2011) was a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.

Education and career

Born in Englewood, New Jersey, Muir received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Lehigh University in 1935 and a Bachelor of Laws from Harvard Law School in 1938. He was in private practice in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, from 1938 to 1942. He served in the United States Navy during World War II, from 1942 to 1945, achieving the rank of lieutenant. Afterwards he returned to private practice in Williamsport until 1970.[1]

Federal judicial service

On September 28, 1970, Muir was nominated by President Richard Nixon to a new seat on the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania created by 84 Stat. 294. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on October 8, 1970, and received his commission six days later. He assumed senior status on August 31, 1984, serving in that status until his death.[1]

Dwyer case

Muir presided over the trial of R. Budd Dwyer, the then Treasurer of Pennsylvania who was convicted in December 1986 of 11 counts of conspiracy, mail fraud, perjury and interstate transportation in aid of racketeering;[2] Dwyer was scheduled to be sentenced by Muir on those charges on January 23, 1987.[3] Dwyer scheduled a press conference for the day before, January 22, where after stating his innocence, he killed himself in front of the gathered members of the media and his staff.[4] He faced a possible sentence of up to 55 years' imprisonment and a $300,000 fine.[5]

Death

On July 22, 2011, Muir died in Williamsport, Pennsylvania at the age of 96.[6]

References

  1. ^ a b Malcolm Muir at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a publication of the Federal Judicial Center.
  2. ^ "Dwyer must resign or face dismissal, Zimmerman says". Observer-Reporter. January 22, 1987. Retrieved November 8, 2015 – via Google News.
  3. ^ "Six Years After Suicide, New Trial Sought To Clear Budd Dwyer". Associated Press. 26 July 1993. Retrieved 20 October 2021.
  4. ^ Randolph, Eleanor (23 January 1987). "WITNESSES TO DEATH JOURNALISTS QUESTION THEIR ROLE". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 20 October 2021.
  5. ^ Stevens, William K. (23 January 1987). "OFFICIAL CALLS IN PRESS AND KILLS HIMSELF". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 20 October 2021.
  6. ^ "U.S. Senior Judge Malcolm Muir dies at age 96". The Daily Item. July 22, 2011.

Sources

Legal offices
Preceded by
Seat established by 84 Stat. 294
 Judge of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania
1970–1984 		Succeeded by