DC Judge Trades Felony Cases for Court Martial Trials

DC superior court judge deployed to Iraq, Kuwait

WASHINGTON -- A D.C. Superior Court associate judge will soon be wearing a combat uniform under his robe.

Robert R. Rigsby, 48, plans to deploy overseas on April 25 with the U.S. Army as a military judge. Rigsby will go from presiding over felony cases in Washington to court martial trials in Iraq and Kuwait.

The Vallejo, Calif., native has served as an active and reserve member of the Army for about 30 years and didn't hesitate about deploying, saying it's his duty to serve.

Rigsby will serve as the Army's only judge in Iraq and Kuwait for six months. He will undergo a week of training before leaving.

The hardest part of his deployment will be being away from his wife, Anna Blackburne-Rigsby, an associate judge for the D.C. Court of Appeals, and their 11-year-old son, Rigsby said.
 

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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