The Honorable Judge Ulysses Whittaker Boykin, a respected jurist known for his significant contributions to Detroit’s legal landscape, has passed away at the age of 89.
Judge Boykin served on Wayne County’s
3rd Circuit Court from 1999 until his retirement in 2020. Among numerous
notable cases, he presided over the high-profile retrial of a Detroit police
officer implicated in the tragic 1992 death of Malice Green.
Born and raised in Detroit’s Boston-Edison neighborhood, Judge Boykin was the son of esteemed Michigan
Chronicle columnist, Ulysses W. Boykin Sr. He graduated from Cass Technical
High School in 1963, earned his bachelor’s degree from Hampton Institute in
1967, and went on to Harvard Law School, receiving his Juris Doctor in 1970. At
Harvard, he was instrumental in founding the university's Black Law Students
Association.
When
I worked down in homicide, Judge Boykin was instrumental in helping me grasp
the complexities of the criminal justice system. He generously welcomed me into
his chambers, patiently explaining intricate legal principles and providing
invaluable guidance to sharpen my legal writing. He profoundly
influenced my professional growth and deepened my appreciation for fairness and
clarity in the law. Judge Boykin’s wisdom and dedication will remain an
enduring inspiration to me.
Detroit mourns the loss of this distinguished and influential figure, whose legacy will endure through his profound impact on justice and community.
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