Hundreds gathered to mourn the slain judge, who police say was gunned down in the driveway of his home by a man who lost custody of his children.
Mourners gathered for the funeral of Washington County Circuit Court Judge Andrew Wilkinson at Saint Ann Roman Catholic Church in Hagerstown, Md., on Friday. Monsignor J. Bruce Jarboe looked out over the crowd of about 650, including more than 100 judges and Maryland Gov. Wes Moore , and solemnly told them that none of them expected — or wanted — to be in the pews of St. Ann Roman Catholic Church in Hagerstown, Md., Friday.
The shocking crime left Wilkinson’s family reeling, sparked a major manhunt that ended Thursday, and drew national attention to this community about 75 miles northwest of Washington, D.C. It also refocused attention on the safety of jurists following a string of high-profile attacks in recent years.“It is … so important we mourn here together today,” Jarboe told the mourners. “Together in love. Together in care. Together in mutual support.
Afterward, Jarboe and other clerics filed out of the church, followed by a group of about a half-dozen men in dark suits, who slowly carried Wilkinson’s casket to a waiting hearse. Wilkinson’s coffin was draped with the Maryland flag. People gathered in front of the church, hugging each other and rubbing backs.Jarboe, who led the service, said in a later interview that Wilkinson was a gentle and unassuming person who cared about the people he served.
A former attorney for Argote said his client was deeply concerned about the prospect of losing custody of his kids, ages 12, 11, 5 and 3, during the course of the contentious divorce that lasted about a year.Argote was found dead Thursday by searchers about 10 miles from the scene of the shooting in a heavily wooded area of Washington County. Argote’s MercedesAlbert said at a news conference Thursday that he was awaiting the results of an autopsy before commenting on when or how Argote died.
During a hearing on Oct. 19 in Washington County Circuit Court, Wilkinson found there had been “cruelty of treatment” in the relationship between Argote and his former wife, Eugenia. Eugenia accused her husband of stealing her money and once sought a restraining order against him, writing that he carried a gun “at all times.” She later dropped the effort.After hearing testimony in the divorce in March, Wilkinson said he was greatly troubled by the relationship between the two.
The slaying drew a flurry of condolences from Wilkinson’s friends and colleagues. Moore said in a statement that he was “shocked, heartbroken and sickened” by the killing.
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Maryland judge update: Police announce suspect in Andrew Wilkinson murder found deadRachel Schilke is a breaking news reporter at the Washington Examiner. Originally from Frankfort, Illinois, she graduated from the University of Iowa in May 2022 and served as a managing editor at the Daily Iowan with a focus on crime and courts and local government. Follow her on X: rachel_schilke.
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Pedro Argote, man who allegedly killed Maryland judge Andrew Wilkinson, found dead: OfficialsCircuit Court Judge Andrew Wilkinson, 52, was shot in his driveway.
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Pedro Argote, man who allegedly killed Maryland judge Andrew Wilkinson, found dead: OfficialsAuthorities have found the body of the suspect wanted for the murder of Maryland Circuit Court Judge Andrew Wilkinson.
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Pedro Argote, man who allegedly killed Maryland judge Andrew Wilkinson, found dead: OfficialsAuthorities have found the body of the suspect wanted for the murder of Maryland Circuit Court Judge Andrew Wilkinson.
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Suspect found dead in slaying of Maryland judge Andrew WilkinsonThe body of Pedro Argote, wanted in the killing of Maryland judge Andrew Wilkinson, was found near the scene of where his car was located over the weekend, authorities say.
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Pedro Argote, man who allegedly killed Maryland judge Andrew Wilkinson, found dead: OfficialsAuthorities have found the body of the suspect wanted for the murder of Maryland Circuit Court Judge Andrew Wilkinson.
Read more »