{
  "id": 16937040,
  "title": "92-year-old US judge handling Maduro case dies",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/28/92-year-old-us-judge-handling-maduro-case-dies",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-28T18:08:43.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "South China Morning Post",
    "slug": "south-china-morning-post",
    "url": "https://www.scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3372488/92-year-old-us-judge-handling-maduro-case-dies"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Alvin Hellerstein, the 92-year-old US federal judge presiding over the trial of deposed Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro on drug trafficking charges, has passed away. Hellerstein, one of the oldest active US federal judges, raised concerns about his suitability for overseeing a potentially lengthy trial. Hellerstein's extensive career included handling civil cases stemming from the 9/11 terrorist attacks and rejecting unfair plea deals. He famously blocked the Trump administration's efforts to deport Venezuelan gang members without a court hearing and ordered the release of photos depicting detainee abuse in Iraq and Afghanistan. The judge presided over a trial last year where a jury found BNP Paribas liable for $20.75 million in damages to Sudanese plaintiffs due to its role in supporting Omar al-Bashir's regime. Hellerstein, a graduate of Columbia University law school, served in the US Army as a lawyer from 1957 to 1960 before entering private practice. He was nominated by Bill Clinton to the Southern District of New York district court in 1998.",
  "summary": "Alvin Hellerstein, the US judge overseeing the case against deposed Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro, has died aged 92, an official confirmed on Wednesday. As one of the oldest US federal judges, questions had been raised about whether he was the right justice to preside over what could be a prolonged trial for Maduro on drug trafficking charges. Hellerstein’s lengthy career included…",
  "key_points": [
    "Alvin Hellerstein, 92, died while presiding over Maduro trial.",
    "Hellerstein handled 9/11 civil cases and blocked Trump's deportation efforts.",
    "Judge served in US Army as lawyer (1957-1960) before private practice."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "Alvin K. Hellerstein, a federal judge who handled Trump, Maduro and 9/11 cases, dies at 92",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/28/alvin-k-hellerstein-a-federal-judge-who-handled-trump-maduro-and-9-11",
        "published": "2026-10-28T16:55:06.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "CBS News",
        "title": "Alvin Hellerstein, judge in Maduro and Trump cases, dies at 92",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/28/alvin-hellerstein-judge-in-maduro-and-trump-cases-dies-at-92",
        "published": "2026-10-28T19:16:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Post Nigeria",
        "title": "US judge handling Maduro’s drug trafficking case dies at 92",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/28/us-judge-handling-maduros-drug-trafficking-case-dies-at-92",
        "published": "2026-10-28T19:29:54.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}