Longtime Providence Municipal Court Chief Judge Frank Caprio died Wednesday, according to the court, after a battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 88.

Known for his wry humor and sense of empathy in the courtroom, Caprio became an unlikely social media star thanks to his “Caught In Providence” TV series.

In 2022, he spoke with Rhode Island PBS about his belief in showing compassion.

“I haven’t met the person yet who hasn’t made a mistake and needed a second chance,” Caprio said. “It’s all part of life.”

Caprio served for 38 years in the Providence Municipal Court, retiring in 2023. “Caught in Providence,” which began airing locally in 2000, showed Caprio ruling on traffic cases, and gained billions of views when it caught fire on YouTube and social media. Caprio’s accounts have 3.3 mil

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