Profs. Borgida and Robiner Co-Author New Article in Behavioral Sciences & the Law

Professor Eugene Borgida, Morse-Alumni Distinguished Professor of Psychology at the University of Minnesota and affiliated Law School faculty, and co-author Professor William Robiner, University of Minnesota Department of Medicine, have co-authored a new article, "Judges at Risk: A Review of Homicides of U.S. Judges," in Behavioral Sciences & the Law (October 2025). The authors identified 54 homicides of U.S. judges since the 1800s through news accounts, databases, and the National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS). Although violence is relatively common in U.S. courts, homicides of judges are rare. Homicide, nevertheless, is an occupational hazard and potential threat for judges, necessitating effective security measures to safeguard judges in and outside of courts. The authors advocate for the development of a comprehensive national database for refining risk management strategies throughout the judicial system. The psychological impact of violence and how the judicial system responds to threats of judicial homicide are public policy issues warranting additional study and resources. Learn more