Harold Bitzegaio Passes On
The TribStar of Terre Haute carries an article titled, “Former Vigo County judge dies at 84.”
Harold Bitzegaio, a decorated war hero, avid outdoorsman and no-nonsense Vigo Superior Court judge, died Wednesday at age 84.
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Bitzegaio served as Vigo County Superior Court 1 judge for about 20 years through 1980.
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“He had a stern, no-nonsense demeanor about him” Adler said. “I think most lawyers who didn’t know him well felt somewhat intimidated by him.”
Judge Bitzegaio knew the law and had a practical approach to cases. “You might say he was somewhat impatient. He wanted attorneys to get to the heart of the case,” Adler said.
Outside the courthouse, Bitzegaio was neither stern nor serious, Adler said. “He was very gregarious and affable.”
Vigo County Prosecutor Bob Wright said Bitzegaio “had a very good legal mind” and was instrumental in creating Indiana’s pattern jury instructions – instructions used in every jury trial in Indiana.
