Warren D. Welliver | |
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Judge of the Supreme Court of Missouri | |
In office January 9, 1979 – September 8, 1989 |
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Appointed by | Joseph P. Teasdale |
Succeeded by | John C. Holstein |
Personal details | |
Born |
Butler, Missouri |
February 24, 1920
Died | October 29, 2007 Columbia, Missouri |
(aged 87)
Spouse(s) | Ruth Welliver |
Alma mater |
University of Missouri School of Law University of Missouri |
Warren Welliver was judge on the Supreme Court of Missouri from 1979 until 1989. As a judge, he established Comparative Negligence as a defense in civil tort lawsuits, overruling the older Contributory Negligence standard. Judge Welliver was also famously passed up for Chief Justice; traditionally the judges take turns in the two-year job but Welliver was bypassed for the position. Judge Welliver was also known for his strong stances in favor of protecting a criminal defendant's rights at trial, and his opposition to the Missouri Plan.