Norman A. Mordue | |
|---|---|
| Senior Judge of theUnited States District Court for the Northern District of New York | |
| In office June 30, 2013 – December 29, 2022 | |
| Chief Judge of theUnited States District Court for the Northern District of New York | |
| In office 2006–2011 | |
| Preceded by | Frederick Scullin |
| Succeeded by | Gary L. Sharpe |
| Judge of theUnited States District Court for the Northern District of New York | |
| In office October 22, 1998 – June 30, 2013 | |
| Appointed by | Bill Clinton |
| Preceded by | Rosemary S. Pooler |
| Succeeded by | Brenda K. Sannes |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1942-06-26)June 26, 1942 Syracuse, New York, U.S. |
| Died | December 29, 2022(2022-12-29) (aged 80) |
| Education | Syracuse University (B.A.) Syracuse University College of Law (J.D.) |
Norman Allen Mordue[1] (June 26, 1942 – December 29, 2022) was an American jurist who was aUnited States district judge of theUnited States District Court for the Northern District of New York.
Mordue grew up as one of five children inElmira, New York and attendedManlius Military Academy. He graduated with aBachelor of Arts degree in Economics fromSyracuse University in 1966 and with aJuris Doctor from theSyracuse University College of Law in 1971.[2]
Mordue playedhalfback for theSyracuse Orange football under coachBen Schwartzwalder, playing alongside future NFL playersFloyd Little andJim Nance.[3][4] He was a member of the1965 Sugar Bowl team.[2]
From 1972 to 1982, he worked for the district attorney inOnondaga County,New York, becoming a senior assistant distract attorney in 1974 and chief prosecutor in 1976.
He was a county court judge from 1982 to 1988, and aState Supreme Court Justice in Onondaga County from 1986 to 1998.[5]
Mordue earned thePurple Heart, theBronze Star, and theDistinguished Service Cross while serving as acaptain in theU.S. Army in theVietnam War from 1966 to 1968.[6]
Upon the recommendation of SenatorAlfonse D'Amato, PresidentBill Clinton nominated Mordue to replaceRosemary S. Pooler on theUnited States District Court for the Northern District of New York in July 1998. Mordue was confirmed unanimously by the Senate on October 21, 1998, received his commission on October 22, 1998, and took office on December 4, 1998.[7] He tooksenior status on June 30, 2013. He wasChief Judge of the court from 2006 to 2011.[8]
As a prosecutor in the Onondaga County District Attorney's Office, Mordue successfully prosecutedRobert Garrow, a notorious serial killer convicted of murdering three campers in the Adirondacks and a teenage girl in Syracuse in 1973.[3]
Mordue three times ruled in favor of the school district's censorship of religious content in an assignment inPeck v. Baldwinsville School District.[9] He also ruled in favor of a school district censoring a student newspaper's cartoon of stick figures in sexual positions inR.O. v. Ithaca.
Mordue died on December 29, 2022, at the age of 80.[3][4]
| Legal offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Judge of theUnited States District Court for the Northern District of New York 1998–2013 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Chief Judge of theUnited States District Court for the Northern District of New York 2006–2011 | Succeeded by |
| International | |
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| National | |
