Statement of DA Rachael Rollins on the Passing of Chief Justice Ralph Gants

BOSTON, September 14, 2020 — “I am shocked and profoundly saddened by the death of Chief Justice Ralph Gants.  I want to extend my deepest condolences to his wife, Deborah, whom I consider a mentor, and all of his loved ones.  

“Chief Justice Gants was more than a skilled and thoughtful jurist.  He was a deeply compassionate and wonderful person who dedicated his career to serving the community – every member of the community – through his work to create a more equitable legal system.

“Chief Justice Gants was a fearless leader on some of the most pressing issues facing our criminal legal system during his tenure on the Supreme Judicial Court. In fact, he was the driving force in the report issued just last week, Racial Disparities in the Massachusetts Criminal System by the Criminal Justice Policy Program at Harvard Law School.  Chief Justice Gants embodied the highest ideals of the field of law and of humanity itself – integrity and fairness.  He was one of the most brilliant, culturally-competent, and astute attorneys that the Massachusetts legal community has known. His loss leaves a void in our courts, our communities, and in the hearts of those who knew and had the pleasure to work with him.  

“In recent weeks and months, my staff and I worked very closely with Chief Justice Gants to reopen the Suffolk County Grand Jury to ensure the safety of jurors, witnesses, attorneys, and court staff while safeguarding our ability as prosecutors to keep our communities safe and hold violent offenders accountable.  His leadership, his unwavering commitment to the interests of justice, and his thoughtful approach to the important work before us were an inspiration and a call to action for all of us.  I am forever grateful that I had the opportunity to work with Chief Justice Gants, and I’m heartbroken to have lost his brilliant, courageous, and inclusive leadership, as well as his friendship.”

Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins’ office serves the communities of Boston, Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop, Mass. The office handles over 25,000 cases a year. More than 160 attorneys in the office practice in nine district and municipal courts, Suffolk Superior Court, the Massachusetts Appeals Court, the Supreme Judicial Court, and the Boston Juvenile Courts. The office employs some 300 people and offers a wide range of services and programs to serve anyone who comes in contact with the criminal justice system. This office is committed to educating the public about the services we provide, our commitment to crime prevention, and our dedication to keeping the residents of Suffolk County safe.