CLINTON -- A former 6th Judicial Circuit judge who spent 22 years on the bench in DeWitt County died Tuesday after a series of strokes.
Stephen Peters, 66, died at Liberty Village Nursing Home, Clinton. Funeral arrangements are pending at Calvert Funeral Home, Clinton.
"I regard him as a student of the law who loved what he did," said DeWitt County Judge Garry Bryan, who succeeded Peters on the bench. "He offered me some practical advice when I assumed the bench. He said, ‘Let the work come to you.' It was very insightful because he taught me not to get caught up in the moment and to keep your calm."
In 2006, Peters presided over the cases of Amanda Hamm and Maurice LaGrone. The couple was accused of drowning Hamm's three children in Clinton Lake in 2003.
LaGrone was convicted of murder and is serving a life sentence, and Hamm was released from prison in 2008 after being convicted of child endangerment.
Peters was a lifelong DeWitt County resident.
"I've known him since we were both very young," said Clinton Mayor Tom Edmunds. "He was a circuit judge, but more like the guy next door. He loved model railroading and visiting his grandkids. He was a fine gentleman and very fair on the bench."
Bryan said Peters had the respect of practicing lawyers and judges throughout the state.
"He said that after you assume the bench, you are always going to be known as ‘Judge,' and you give up some of your identity," he said. "And to all of us, he was Judge Peters."
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