J. Robert Elliott

James Robert Elliott (January 1, 1910 – June 27, 2006), known as J. Robert Elliott, was an American politician and a federal judge.

Early life and education

J. Robert Elliot was born in Gainesviile, Georgia on January 1, 1910 to Thomas M. Elliott and Mamie Glenn Elliott. His father was a Methodist minister in Gainesville, Georgia. He attended high school in Fayetteville, graduating in 1926. Elliott then attended Emory University in Atlanta, graduating with a B.Ph. degree in 1930. After college graduation, he taught school to earn money for his law degree. He then enrolled in Emory University School of Law, earning a law degree in 1934.^[1] Elliot was in private practice of law in Columbus, Georgia from 1934-43.

Legislative service

In 1936, he was elected to the Georgia House of Representatives, taking office in January 1937 and continuing until January 1943.^[1] He eventually served four terms. However, after his third term, Elliott's legislative career was interrupted by military service when he joined the United States Navy during the last years of World War II, serving in the Pacific. He returned to the legislature in 1947, serving one additional term until January 1949. After his service in the military, Elliott resumed the private practice of law in Columbus, Georgia from 1946-62. He was also a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1948 and 1952.

Judicial career

He was appointed as federal judge on the United States District Court for the Middle District of Georgia by President John F. Kennedy on January 23, 1962, to a seat vacated by T. Hoyt Davis. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on February 7, 1962, and received commission on February 17, 1962. Elliot served on the bench for 38 years and was chief judge between 1972 and 1980.^[2][3]

In his first year on the bench, Elliott issued an order halting a civil rights demonstration led by the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. in Albany, Georgia. He later said that the decision — subsequently overturned on appeal — was made due to a threat of violence against Rev. King and his supporters. But King biographer Taylor Branch wrote that Judge Elliott was a "strident segregationist."

In 1974, Elliott gained notoriety for overturning the conviction of Army Lt. William Calley for killing 22 people during the 1968 My Lai massacre, a decision later overruled by the appeals court.

In his later years, Elliott was rebuked by the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals for his decisions in cases where defendants failed to produce requested evidence to the Court's satisfaction.^[4]

Death

Elliott died in Columbus, Georgia, on June 27, 2006.^[5][6]

References