Georgia Judge Commits Suicide Inside Courtroom
Effingham County, Georgia, was shaken on Tuesday morning after the body of State Court Judge Stephen Yekel, 74, was discovered in his courtroom, where he is believed to have died by suicide.
According to local authorities, Judge Yekel’s body was found around 10 a.m. by a sheriff’s deputy on what was supposed to be his final day on the bench. Reports indicate that he may have taken his life late Monday night or early Tuesday morning.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) has launched an inquiry into the incident.
Effingham County Sheriff Jimmy McDuffie revealed that Judge Yekel had recently lost his re-election bid and had unsuccessfully attempted to resign from his position. Governor Brian Kemp had denied his resignation request, emphasising the importance of respecting the voters’ decision.
Yekel reportedly sent a resignation letter to the governor’s office, expressing frustration with the low voter turnout during the election, stating, “The position is too important to be decided by only 6% of eligible voters.” Sheriff McDuffie did not disclose additional details about the note sent to the governor.
The courtroom has been closed temporarily and is set to resume normal operations on January 2.
Judge Yekel, a father of four, had a long and distinguished career in law, serving as an assistant district attorney in Chatham County and practicing law for over 45 years. He also held roles as a special agent with the state’s Alcohol and Tobacco Tax Unit and as an investigator at the Cobb County District Attorney’s Office.
The community has expressed shock and sorrow over Yekel’s death, reflecting on his contributions to the legal profession and the people of Effingham County.
