Alvin K. Hellerstein, federal judge who presided over Trump, Maduro and 9/11 cases, dies at 92

Alvin K. Hellerstein, a Manhattan federal judge who presided over cases involving President Donald Trump, former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and the 9/11 attacks during nearly three decades on the bench, has died. He was 92.

Hellerstein died Wednesday morning while surrounded by his family, Chief Judge Laura Taylor Swain said in a statement. His funeral is scheduled for Thursday at Riverside Memorial Chapel in Manhattan.

Swain remembered Hellerstein as a “distinguished jurist” and praised his “energetic and dedicated service” to the court, which continued until his death.

“He is greatly appreciated and will be sorely missed,” she said.

Just two weeks ago, Hellerstein presided over the arraignment of Maduro and Maduro’s wife, Cilia Flores, on torture charges that were added to their ongoing narco-terrorism conspiracy case.

Maduro, who was captured alongside his wife in January in a surprise U.S. military raid in Caracas, twice defied Hellerstein’s request to enter a plea. Irked, Hellerstein took matters into his own hands, interjecting that “a plea of not guilty will be entered on behalf of Mr. Maduro.”

At Flores’ Oct. 8 bail hearing, Hellerstein coughed and struggled to speak at times, telling lawyers: “I have a voice problem. As long as you…

Original source: https://www.nbcnews.com/business