April 9, 2010
Hundreds Turn Out to Honor Chief Justice Moyer
Hundreds of judges, elected officials and everyday Ohioans paid their respects today to the late Chief Justice Thomas J. Moyer.
Chief Justice Moyer lay in state in the Courtroom of the Ohio Judicial Center in a flag-draped coffin from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., where members of the public were received by the Moyer family. A painted portrait of the Chief, three bouquets of flowers, and the Chief’s robe placed over the center chair on the bench greeted visitors at the front of the Courtroom alongside the coffin.
Several statewide officeholders – both current and past – attended, including: Attorney General Richard Cordray, Auditor Mary Taylor, Senate President Bill Harris, former U.S. Senator and Lt. Gov. Mike DeWine, former Gov. Bob Taft, former Attorney General and Auditor Betty Montgomery and former Speaker Jo Ann Davidson.
Besides the current Supreme Court Justices, former Justices Andrew G. Douglas and Deborah L. Cook attended. Also paying their respects were dozens of other judges from across Ohio including U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio Judges Gregory L. Frost, Edmund A. Sargus Jr. and Michael H. Watson, and 10th District Court of Appeals Judges Peggy L. Bryant, Judith L. French, William A. Klatt and Lisa L. Sadler.
Mary Campbell McQueen, National Center for State Courts president, and Indiana Supreme Court Justice Brent E. Dickson also attended.
At times the wait in line, which snaked its way from the Front Street entrance of the Ohio Judicial Center to the back entrance of the Courtroom, was an hour and a half.
Justice Paul E. Pfeifer, who as the most senior member of the Supreme Court Justices is serving as Acting Chief Justice according to the Ohio Constitution, said the size of the crowd was indicative of the Chief’s impact on Ohioans’ lives and the judicial branch.
“We’ll never know all the people he touched throughout his distinguished career,” Justice Pfeifer said. “So it’s not surprising at all that so many people would show up to honor the Chief today.”
A funeral service will be held Saturday at First Community Church, 1320 Cambridge Blvd., Columbus, followed by a private burial.
A public memorial tribute will be held on Law Day, Saturday, May 1, to honor Chief Justice Moyer and the significant contributions he made in a remarkable life dedicated to civility, public service and the rule of law.
Details on this memorial service will be released at a later date.
Contact: Chris Davey or Bret Crow at 614.387.9250.