Former judge Robert K. Richardson dead at 75
By Walter Wright
Advertiser Staff Writer
Former Honolulu District Judge Robert K. Richardson, brother of former Hawai'i Supreme Court Chief Justice William Richardson, died Dec. 17 at The Queen's Medical Center. He was 75.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday.
In 1978 Robert K. Richardson was the center of controversy for a decision dismissing rape charges.
After Richardson was appointed to the district court by his older brother, he became the center of controversy for a 1978 decision dismissing rape charges. In his ruling, Richardson questioned what "forcible compulsion" there was, after the complainant was hit by a car and felt threatened by a bottle by the defendant. Women Against Rape and other groups held demonstrations protesting his decision.
In 1980, the state Judicial Selection Commission denied Richardson a second six-year term on the bench. Richard-son battled in vain to be reappointed.
William Richardson, who spoke to the commission in his brother's defense, failed to sway the commissioners and later said Robert Richardson had been "kicked out for being strong."
Longtime friend and counselor Thomas Mui, who represented Richardson in his effort to be reappointed, said yesterday it was unfortunate that controversy and publicity overshadowed Richardson's being "such a warm and caring individual."
Mui said he felt Richardson was the victim of secret "character assassination" at the judicial commission. "There were no particulars, and it was like fighting a bunch of shadows," Mui said.
Richardson, the grandson of an immigrant from Canton, graduated from Roosevelt High School and the University of Hawai'i, and earned a law degree from the University of Cincinnati Law School.
He practiced law in association with his brother, who was clerk of the Territorial Senate and rose to positions of great power in the Democratic Party in Hawai'i. He served in the U. S. Army from 1945 to 1947 and was recalled to duty from 1951 to 1953, serving in Korea.
After leaving the bench, he held positions as deputy attorney general and as an assistant corporation counsel for the city.
He is survived by his wife, Helen Shim; sons Patrick and John; daughter Mahealani; brother William; sisters Army R,. Kahoiwai, Grace R. Wong and Pearl R. Nishimura; and four grandchildren.
Visitation will be from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday at St. Andrew's Cathedral, with services at 6:30 p.m., followed by inurnment at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific. Casual attire; the family prefers that flowers be omitted.
