Warren Dee Welliver

Warren D. Welliver
Judge of the Supreme Court of Missouri
In office
January 9, 1979  September 8, 1989
Appointed by Joseph P. Teasdale
Succeeded by John C. Holstein
Personal details
Born February 24, 1920[1]
Butler, Missouri[2]
Died October 29, 2007 (aged 87)
Columbia, Missouri
Spouse(s) Ruth Welliver
Alma mater University of Missouri School of Law
University of Missouri
Religion Episcopal Church

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.[3] 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.[3] Judge Welliver was also known for his strong stances in favor of protecting a criminal defendant's rights at trial,[4] and his opposition to the Missouri Plan.[5]

Sources

  1. "Supreme Court judge announces retirement." St. Louis Post-Dispatch, page 8A. July 27, 1989.
  2. Official Manual of Missouri, 1985-1986.
  3. 3.0 3.1 Allison Retka, "Ex-Missouri Supreme Court judge Warren Welliver dies at 87." Kansas City Daily Record. November 1, 2007.
  4. "Law and order court appointee viewed as hard liner." St. Louis Post-Dispatch, page 1B. October 15, 1989.
  5. Allison Retka, "Ex-Missouri Supreme Court judge Warren Welliver dies at 87." St. Louis Daily Record. November 1, 2007