The retired Vermont District Court judge who presided over one of the most racially sensitive cases in Vermont history, has died. Lewis Springer died Monday at his Danville home. He was 88.
Springer had only been a judge for three months when in July 1968, a carload of people fired shots into the Irasburg home of a black minister. When the car returned, the minister, David Johnson, fired back. A local man was later convicted of the shootings.
Springer retired from the bench in 1983.
He is survived by his wife Margaret, three daughters, a son, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be Thursday at the Danville Congregational Church.