Judge Frank Caprio, known for the empathy and compassion he shows to those who appear in his courtroom, responded in an emotional video on social media in which he revealed that he has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
Caprio, 87, told viewers he wasn't feeling well after recently celebrating his birthday and went for tests when he heard the sad news.
'People ask me: what can I do for you? First of all, I can't thank you all for your friendship and kind messages. But I would ask each of you to pray for me in your own way,” the Rhode Island judge said.
“I need the power of prayer, which I believe is the most powerful weapon besides the medical treatment I receive to help me survive this.”
In January 2023, Caprio announced his retirement after 40 years of service. He became a household name during his tenure thanks to his TV show Caught in Providence.
Judge Frank Caprio told fans this week that he is battling pancreatic cancer after undergoing medical tests around his 87th birthday
In his heartbreaking social media post, Caprio posted photos showing him being treated by his 'amazing team of doctors'
“Just knowing that you're keeping me in mind means the world to me. Thanks for all your past messages. Thank you for your loving support. And please remember, just a little prayer. I really appreciate it,” he added through tears.
During his career, Caprio served as chief judge of the Rhode Island Municipal Court and as chairman of the Rhode Island Board of Governors and Education.
The judge has five children with his wife Joyce. Two of his sons, Frank and David, have both been elected representatives in Rhode Island for the Democratic Party.
Caprio said he will receive treatment from an “amazing team of doctors” in both his home state and at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston as he vows to fight the disease.
“I know there is still a long way to go, and I am fully prepared to fight as hard as I can,” he said. In the clip, Caprio called his illness an “insidious form of cancer.”
Alongside the video, Caprio posted photos from a birthday party, photos of him hooking up IVs while receiving trips, and clips of people wishing him well.
In 2017, Caprio told DailyMail.com about his surprise of becoming a star – and how he owes it to his own hard-working, immigrant father.
'I am always aware of the fact that the power of the sovereign, in contrast to the power of the individual, is so disproportionate.'
“I feel ashamed when I represent the sovereign and give someone something he or she does not deserve. That is a strict interpretation of the law.'
'I take it on a different level. If I think there are certain circumstances in an individual's life, or that it is close to being on the line, I give him or her the benefit of the doubt. “I don't subscribe to the theory that because you've been charged you must be guilty,” he said.
During his show, which aired on the Law & Crime Network, Caprio regularly excused parking tickets while dispensing wisdom to those before him.
In one memorable moment in 2018, Caprio denied the ticket of a struggling mother of two after she called her son to the bench and asked him if he thought the case should be dismissed.
“My mom, she's looking for work because she's trying to move out of our house. Therefore, she cannot spend her money on anything,” Armando Ramos told the court.
The camera focuses on Ramos' mother, who looks visibly emotional at her son's words.
Judge Caprio told him as he dismissed the case, “Shake my hand, look me in the eye.” You are a good child, you love your mother. You made a good case for her.”
In another, from 2017, a grieving mother, Andrea Rogers, appeared before Judge Caprio with a pile of parking tickets. She cried as she explained her struggle to keep her life in order after her son was murdered.
“I'm going to take into account the horrific story you just told us about your son. I don't think anyone in their lifetime would ever want to experience that,” Judge Caprio tells her before dismissing all sentences.
'With our best wishes and hope that things turn around for you. Good luck.'
One recipient of Caprio's kindness, Spencer Gregory, shared it WJAR that he was heartbroken when he heard the news.
Gregory had a traffic ticket dismissed after talking to Caprio about becoming a Catholic priest.
“He was, you know, just as friendly, just as humble and just as funny in person,” Gregory told the station.
“It wasn't just that I had to go and sort out a traffic ticket, but that I actually got something out of it and really felt like he really cared about me as a person,” he said. added.
Gregory said he will again listen to Caprio's instructions and pray for him.