Judge Frank Caprio once paid a fine for a man who appeared in his court on foot without a single dollar in his pocket.
Caprio, who died yesterday at the age of 88, was known for his acts of kindness in the courtroom and took pity on the man, who had no money to his name and no means of transport.
Since his death, several of Caprio’s famous judgments on TV show Caught in Providence have resurfaced, with fans and well-wishers keen to celebrate the judge’s kindness in life.
In this case, Caprio didn’t just waive the fine; he taught the accused a valuable lesson, too.
Frank Caprio was renowned for his acts of courtroom kindness
Chief Judge Frank Caprio presided over countless cases during his long and celebrated career, but few have drawn more attention than when a man walked for longer than an ‘hour and a half’ to appear before him.
Daniel Murray was down on his luck and facing ‘seven violations’ that included five reported ‘parking tickets’.
The fine wasn’t an earth-shattering amount to most people – $250 in total – but to Murray, it was insurmountable.
As soon as the amount was announced in court, he thanked the judge and asked him if there was any way he could pay the fine in a more flexible manner.
He said: “One quick question, Your Honor, is there any way… can that be deferred a bit?”
“I’m just in a bit of a financial position,” he added.
When pressed for more information, he confirmed: “I have 92 cents in my account.
“I just walked from East Providence this morning to get over here.”
That’s around five miles from the Rhode Island courthouse, and he didn’t have the cash to ‘take an Uber’ as Caprio suggested.
Murray told the judge that he ran ‘youth lacrosse’ programmes, but explained: “I have no money – not right now.”
Caprio’s kindness gave the man a second chance – but with one condition
So, Caprio decided to dip into the ‘Filomena Fund’ – named after his mother – and give the guy a chance.
Handing over $25, the benevolent judge said: “I want you to take an Uber so you don’t have to walk back.”
The man was taken aback by the gesture, but that wasn’t the whole story.
“You got 25 bucks to take an Uber, and you got this now, let’s hope things turn out for you,” Caprio told him, before adding a significant condition.
“That’s our part, you have to do your part,” he explained.
“You have to help somebody else.
“There are an awful lot of people out there who have similar problems, and you are going to be in a situation to help them.
“Don’t forget them. Remember how you felt? So you have to give back.”
This act, and many like it, are the reason why Caprio has been so celebrated since the sad news of his death was announced late on August 20, 2025.
His kindness in the courtroom was an example of how to mete out justice without being heavy-handed or overly punitive – as it should be.
In a heartbreaking final message from his hospital bed, he asked that people remember him in their prayers.
He will certainly be remembered.
