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Former McLean County Judge Charles Witte Dies

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Former McLean County Judge Charles "Chuck" Witte has died at the age of 74 after a lengthy battle battle with cancer. 

Witte, who retired in 2001, was deeply involved in the community, serving BroMenn Healthcare, Illinois Wesleyan and Illinois State Universities, the Kiwanis, and many other institutions.

During his career, Witte presided over a number of high profile cases, including the trials following the 1988 murders at S&S liquor store in Bloomington. Witte also handled numerous cases involving plaintiffs suing for relief over asbestos contamination that caused cancers and respiratory ailments, sometimes decades after asbestos plants closed in Bloomington. Some of those awards were in the millions of dollars.

Chief Circuit Judge Kevin Fitzgerald said Witte had a reputation for being tough but fair.

"He definitely wanted people to be honest," Fitzgerald said. "Lawyers would tell their clients to be honest because if (Witte) catches you in a lie, you'll regret it."

Courthouse wits and some defense attorneys sometimes referred to him as "No Pity" Witte. But, he was also dedicated to the idea of preventing crime.

To that end, he often gave first offenders a second chance and advice on how to avoid future trouble. And he created an education program focused on introducing young people to the legal system.

Fitzgerald said Witte was assigned to him as mentor when Fitzgerald was first named an Associate Judge.

"He would talk about the importance of the job, to keep humble. But, most of all to just treat every person and every case with the importance it deserved, because every person who comes into court that's the most important thing going on in their life at the time," Fitzgerald said.
 

WGLT Senior Reporter Charlie Schlenker has spent more than three award-winning decades in radio. He lives in Normal with his family.
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