David L. McCain

David Lucius McCain (July 23, 1931 – November 11, 1986) was a justice of the Supreme Court of Florida from December 14, 1970 to August 31, 1975,[1] when he resigned after being caught taking bribes. He then became a drug smuggler, and was for several years a fugitive, until his death.[2][3]

David L. McCain
McCain in 1970
Justice of the Florida Supreme Court
In office
December 14, 1970 – August 31, 1975
Appointed byClaude R. Kirk Jr.
Preceded byB. Campbell Thornal
Succeeded byJoseph W. Hatchett
Personal details
Born(1931-07-23)July 23, 1931
Sebastian, Florida, U.S.
DiedNovember 11, 1986(1986-11-11) (aged 55)
Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.

Early life, education, and career

Born in Sebastian, Florida,[1] McCain graduated from the University of Florida in 1955 and entered the practice of law, where he was successful as a trial lawyer. In 1966, he joined the Republican Party to support the candidacy of Claude R. Kirk Jr., who won the gubernatorial race and appointed McCain to the Florida Fourth District Court of Appeal. This comes on the heels of McCain attempted to run for a seat in the Florida House of Representatives; where after he lost, he switched his party affiliation in 1962.[2] McCain ran for a seat on the Florida Supreme Court in 1968.[2]

Judicial service

McCain ran for a seat on the Florida Supreme Court in 1968, but was defeated by Justice Adkins.[4] When Justice Thornal died two years later, Governor Kirk appointed McCain to that seat.[4] McCain was discovered to be taking bribes, and resigned from the court days before the beginning of an impeachment trial.

Later life and death

Following his resignation from the court, McCain was disbarred, and became involved in drug smuggling. He was indicted on four felony counts and skipped bail in 1983, becoming a fugitive for the remainder of his life.[2][5]

While living under the name "Thomas Mills",[6] McCain discovered that he had cancer, and contemplated turning himself in, but died before he had the chance, in Jacksonville, Florida at the age of 55.[2][1] His body was discovered in a Jacksonville apartment rented under the name, Thomas Mills, but authorities determined that the body was that of McCain.[7]

References
  1. Erik Robinson, "Florida Supreme Court Justices: List of Life Dates", Florida Supreme Court Historical Society (June 2010).
  2. Dave von Drehle and Mary Jo Tierney, "The rise and fall of McCain", The Miami Herald (November 24, 1986), p. 1A, 7A.
  3. "Justice David Lucius McCain". floridasupremecourt.org. December 27, 2018.
  4. Joseph A. Boyd Jr., Randall Reder, "A History of the Florida Supreme Court", University of Miami Law Review (1981), p. 1062.
  5. "The Supreme Court of Florida" (PDF). Retrieved December 18, 2022.
  6. Investigators Confirm Dead Man is Fugitive Former Justice, by the Associated Press; published November 13, 1986.
  7. Lucy Morgan, "Authorities are satisfied that body was fugitive former justice McCain", Tampe Bay Times via St. Petersburg Times (November 14, 1986), B-1.


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