I looked up Judge George N. Leighton to find out some more information on the man. especially in light of that highly controversial decision he made back in 1965. The first thing I found out is that he is still alive at the age of 102 (born in 1912) and that he is African-American.
That may have had an impact on his decision in the case.
But, this is one incredible man. To have overcome the prejudices and segregation in the United States prior to 1965 to rise to his position as a judge is truly remarkable. In Wikipedia, he is listed as an African-American jurist, born in New Bedford, Massachusetts of parents from Cape Verde.
He graduated from Howard University and served during World War II as an officer. After the war, he graduated from Harvard University and began a private practice from 1946-1964, except for when he served as Assistant Attorney General of Illinois from 1949 to 1951.
He served as a judge for the Cook County from 1964-1969 and was the first African-American to be hold a position on the Appellate Court of Illinois and in 1976 was appointed to the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois.
This is just a short summary of his accomplishments. I'd say he deserves to have that Cook County criminal courts building named after him.
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