John Palmore
| John S. Palmore | |
|---|---|
| Chief Justice of the Kentucky Supreme Court | |
|
In office 1966, 1973, 1977 – 1982 |
|
| Preceded by | Scott Elgin Reed |
| Succeeded by | Robert F. Stephens |
| Justice of the Kentucky Supreme Court | |
|
In office 1975–1982 |
|
| Preceded by | New court |
| Succeeded by | William Gant |
| Justice of the Kentucky Court of Appeals | |
|
In office 1959–1975 |
|
| Succeeded by | Court became the Kentucky Supreme Court |
| Commonwealth's attorney for Kentucky's 5th district | |
|
In office 1955–1959 |
|
| Preceded by | Faust Y. Simpson |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
August 6, 1917 Panama Canal Zone |
| Died | July 4, 2017 (aged 99) Frankfort, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Carol Pate Palmore |
| Alma mater | University of Louisville School of Law |
| Profession | Lawyer, judge |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
John S. Palmore (August 6, 1917 – July 4, 2017) was a Justice of the Kentucky Court of Appeals from 1959 until it became the Supreme Court of Kentucky in 1975, and on the latter court until his retirement, in 1982. He served as Chief Justice in 1966, in 1973, and from 1977 to 1982.
Palmore's grandfather, Andrew Houston Palmore, was a member of the 5th Cavalry Regiment of the Union Army during the American Civil War.
Palmore's family moved to Bowling Green, Kentucky, in 1929, and he graduated from Bowling Green High School in 1934. He then enrolled at Western Kentucky University and also joined the National Guard. After two years at Western Kentucky, he matriculated to the University of Louisville School of Law. In 1939, he graduated cum laude from law school.
Palmore began the practice of law in Henderson, Kentucky, but suspended his practice to serve in World War II. On his return from the war, he served as city attorney for Henderson. On January 2, 1954, he began a two-year term as city attorney for Sebree.
After the death of 5th district circuit judge Marlin L. Blackwell in 1955, Governor Earle C. Clements appointed the district's Commonwealth's attorney, Faust Y. Simpson, to the judgeship and Palmore as the new Commonwealth's attorney, possibly as a reward for supporting Clements' ally, Bert T. Combs, in the 1955 Democratic gubernatorial primary against Clements' factional foe, A. B. "Happy" Chandler. Palmore began his service on October 12, 1955, and was immediately tasked with prosecuting a high-profile murder case against Ben Charles Sitton, who was accused of killing police officer Jack Rainier during a traffic stop. The Fraternal Order of Police, concerned that Palmore's inexperience would result in Sitton's acquittal, asked Palmore to allow a more experienced attorney to try the case, but Palmore refused. On January 27, 1956, after just over three hours of deliberation, a jury returned a guilty verdict against Sitton and recommended a death sentence. The verdict was overturned on a technicality, and Palmore was forced to try it again, winning a second conviction on June 29, 1956; the second jury recommended a sentence of life imprisonment.
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