Gerald F. Schroeder

For the Orthodox Jewish physicist, see Gerald Schroeder.
Gerald F. Schroeder
Chief Justice of Idaho
In office
September 1, 2004 (2004-09-01) – July 31, 2007 (2007-07-31)
Preceded byLinda Copple Trout
Succeeded byDaniel Eismann
Justice of the Idaho Supreme Court
In office
January 20, 1995 (1995-01-20) – July 31, 2007 (2007-07-31)
Appointed byPhil Batt
Preceded byStephen Bistline
Succeeded byWarren Jones
Personal details
Born (1939-09-13) September 13, 1939 (age 85)
Boise, Idaho, U.S.
Alma materCollege of Idaho (BA)
Harvard University (JD)
ProfessionAttorney

Gerald Frank Schroeder[1] (born September 13, 1939) is a former American attorney and jurist who served as chief justice of Idaho. He was appointed to the court in 1995 by Governor Phil Batt,[2] and was elected chief justice by his peers in 2004.[3] He served on the court for over a dozen years and retired in July 2007.[3]

Early life and education

Born in Boise, Idaho, Schroeder attended public schools in Caldwell, Idaho and Baker, Oregon, where he was salutatorian at Baker High School in 1957. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in History from the College of Idaho in Caldwell in 1961, and initially planned on becoming a history professor. He took the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) on a whim and was accepted to Harvard Law School, earning his J.D. in 1964.[3]

Career

After graduating from law school, Schroeder returned to Idaho and worked for several firms in Boise for three years. He was then appointed a deputy U.S. attorney in 1967,[4] became a county probate judge in 1969, and a magistrate two years later. He became a state judge in 1975 in the fourth district (Boise), a position he held for two decades, until his appointment to the state supreme court in January 1995.[3] Schroeder retained his seat in 1996 and 2002, running unopposed in both statewide elections.[5][6]

As a district judge, Schroeder made headlines in 1987 as he ruled that the state lottery initiative, approved by voters the previous November, was unconstitutional.[7] His decision was upheld 4-1 by the state supreme court,[8] and resulted in an amendment to the state constitution. Voters approved that in November 1988,[9][10][11] and the lottery was launched in July 1989.[12]

Schroeder ordered the execution of double-murderer Keith Wells in 1992. Carried out in January 1994, it was Idaho's first execution in over 36 years and the tenth in state history.[13][14][15] He was among the officials that witnessed the execution by lethal injection at the Idaho State Correctional Institution.[3][14]

References

  1. ^ Who's Who in American Law, 2002-2003. Marquis Who's Who. 2002. p. 576.
  2. ^ "Gov. Batt puts Schroeder on Supreme Court". Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. Associated Press. January 21, 1995. p. B1.
  3. ^ a b c d e Boone, Rebecca (June 9, 2007). "After nearly 40 years, Idaho Chief Justice prepares to put down gavel". Moscow-Pullman Daily News. Idaho-Washington. Associated Press. p. 5A.
  4. ^ "Boise attorney wins appointment". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). Associated Press. June 21, 1967. p. 9.
  5. ^ "Primary election results". State of Idaho. May 28, 1996. Retrieved September 1, 2015.
  6. ^ "Primary election results". State of Idaho. May 28, 2002. Retrieved September 1, 2015.
  7. ^ "Judge says lottery unconstitutional". Spokane Chronicle. Washington. March 27, 1987. p. 3.
  8. ^ "Lottery initiative declared illegal". Idahonian. Moscow. Associated Press. June 7, 1988. p. 1A.
  9. ^ "Idaho lottery passes". Spokane Chronicle. Washington. Associated Press. November 9, 1988. p. A1.
  10. ^ "Andrus seeks help to begin lottery". Idahonian. Moscow. Associated Press. November 11, 1988. p. 1A.
  11. ^ "Idaho's lottery startup growing near". Spokane Chronicle. Washington. Associated Press. June 9, 1989. p. B8.
  12. ^ "Idaho lottery a big hit on its first day". Idahonian. Moscow. Associated Press. July 20, 1989. p. 10A.
  13. ^ Fick, Bob (January 6, 1994). "Killer put to death in Idaho's first execution in 36 years". Moscow-Pullman Daily News. Idaho-Washington. Associated Press. p. 1A.
  14. ^ a b Miller, Dean (January 7, 1994). "Murderer died a silent death, watched by silent witnesses". Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. p. B3.
  15. ^ "Man receives death sentence for two bludgeoning murders". Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. Associated Press. April 8, 1992. p. B2.
Political offices
Preceded by Chief Justice of the Idaho Supreme Court
2004–2007 		Succeeded by