RI Chief Williams reflects on career

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Rhode Island's Supreme Court Chief Justice, Frank J. Williams announced Thursday he is retiring at the end of the year.

Eyewitness News Reporter Sean Daly spoke one-on-one with Chief Justice Frank Williams about his recent decision to retire.

Sean Daly asks Justice Williams, "Why?"

Chief Justice Williams replies, "Why not? Why are people so stunned when I make a decision at 68 years old based on that have another life, which I do?"

"What are you most proud of as you leave," asks Sean Daly"

"I think it's the package of bringing things together and administratively like new courthouses, security, running the judicial ranch like a business, branch like a business. Some people don't like my style, but it's the way I needed to operate to get the things done," says Chief Justice Williams.

Chief Justice Williams submitted his resignation letter to Governor Donald Carcieri Thursday afternoon. He was appointed as Chief Justice by then Gov. Lincoln Almond and was confirmed by the General Assembly in January 2001.

In comments from his retirement letter, Williams spoke of the "deep and abiding honor to serve the people of our beloved state. To them I owe everything, as they never failed to sustain me and our citizens fully understood what I was attempting to do-enhance access to justice and make our courts more user-friendly."

Chief Justice Williams cited ongoing family health issues as a contributing factor to the timing of his decision.

Maureen McKenna Goldberg, the Supreme Court's senior associate justice, will serve as interim Chief Justice after Dec. 30.