Judge Franklin S. Van Antwerpen, 74, presided over Scarfo trial
Federal Judge Franklin S. Van Antwerpen, 74, of Easton, Pa., who oversaw many high-profile cases during his years on the bench - including the prosecution of mob boss Nicodemo "Little Nicky" Scarfo and 17 codefendants - died Monday, July 25, in Easton.
Federal Judge Franklin S. Van Antwerpen, 74, of Easton, Pa., who oversaw many high-profile cases during his years on the bench - including the prosecution of mob boss Nicodemo "Little Nicky" Scarfo and 17 codefendants - died Monday, July 25, in Easton.
In 1988, a year after President Ronald Reagan appointed him to a judgeship in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, he was assigned to preside over the Scarfo trial. All 18 defendants were convicted, and all received prison terms.
Scarfo was found guilty of participating in eight murders, four attempted murders, 17 extortions, and two drug deals, as well as bookmaking and loan-sharking.
"This is a city of brotherly love, not a city of murder," Judge Van Antwerpen said at sentencing.
Scarfo, now 87, received a 55-year sentence. He is held in the medium-security facility in Butner, N.C.
In another memorable trial, Judge Van Antwerpen cracked down in 1993 on police who conducted abusive searches. His ruling came after a group of women protesting a pigeon shoot in rural Schuylkill County were taken into custody and strip-searched.
"The feelings of humiliation and degradation associated with being forced to expose one's nude body to strangers for visual inspection is beyond dispute," Judge Van Antwerpen said.
In 2004, President George W. Bush moved him up a level, nominating him to serve on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. He switched to senior status there two years later at age 65 and was still on the appeals bench in that role at the time of his death.
Judge Van Antwerpen grew up in North Jersey and graduated in 1964 from the University of Maine, earning a degree in engineering physics. He graduated from Temple Law School in Philadelphia in 1967.
After that, he was corporate counsel for the former Hazeltine Corp., a top defense contractor.
While at Hazeltine, he met Kathleen O'Brien. They married in 1970 and had three children - Joy, Virginia, and Franklin W.
The same year he was married, he left his corporate law job to become chief counsel for Northampton County Legal Aid Society in Easton, which provided legal help to the poor.
In 1979, he was appointed to fill a vacancy as a county court judge in Northampton County, going on to win a 10-year term in 1982 with support from both the Democratic and Republican organizations.
Judge Van Antwerpen served on a board that advised the dean of Temple Law School. He received numerous awards for his service, including an alumni achievement award in 2009 from the University of Maine.
Off the bench, the judge was an avid pipe organ player. His love of travel was deepened by an encyclopedic knowledge of world history and geography.
In addition to his wife and children, the judge is survived by a sister and four grandchildren.
Private services and burial were Wednesday.
Donations may be made to North Penn Legal Services, 559 Main St., Suite 100, Bethlehem, Pa. 18018.
215-854-4821@CraigRMcCoy