Judge Frank Caprio, whose empathy in Rhode Island court earned him fame, dies at 88

Judge Frank Caprio, whose empathy in Rhode Island court earned him fame, dies at 88 Nation Aug 21, 2025 6:37 PM EDT

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — Frank Caprio, a retired municipal judge in Rhode Island who found online fame as a caring jurist and host of “ Caught in Providence ,” has died. He was 88.

His official social media accounts said Wednesday that he “passed away peacefully” after “a long and courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.”

READ MORE: Longtime Texas Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, who had pancreatic cancer, dies at 74

Caprio billed his courtroom as a place “where people and cases are met with kindness and compassion.” He was known for dismissing tickets or showing kindness even when he handed out justice.

Last week, Caprio posted a short video on Facebook about how he ha