George M. Scott

Scott, George M. Retired Supreme Court Justice, age 83, died Thursday May 25, 2006 from complications of congestive heart failure. George Scott was raised in rural New Jersey in a home with no electricity. He was the youngest of eight children. He was proud of his Irish heritage. George studied at the University of Minnesota while in the Army during World War II. After D-Day he fought in Europe as an enlisted man. He returned to Minnesota to marry Joyce Hughes, who he had met at the University. George attended what is now William Mitchell College of Law, while working full time and raising a family. George Scott served as the Hennepin County Attorney from 1955 to 1973, leading that office through the revolution of the Warren Court years, writing the first Search Warrant application and preparing the first Miranda warning card. He championed the cause of full disclosure of evidence to the accused to ensure that trials were as fair as possible. George Scott tried numerous high-profile cases against skilled defense lawyers including F. Lee Bailey. He never lost. He was re-elected to the office four times. George served as the President of the Minnesota County Attorneys Association and the National District Attorney's Association. In 1973, Governor Wendy Anderson named George Scott to the Minnesota Supreme Court, where he served with distinction until his retirement in 1987. Justice Scott was an active volunteer with the Minnesota Optimists, and the Volunteers of America, which gave him its highest award, the Ballington and Maud Booth Award for distinguished service to humanity. He served as the Regional Chair of the of the National March of Dimes. He was a life long supporter of organized labor. George and Joyce enjoyed their well-deserved retirement living in Key West in the winter and their cabin in Wisconsin in the summer. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Joyce Scott, his sister Ethel Eberle, his five children, Dan, Neil, Brian, George, Sheila, and their families. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Rainville Brothers Chapel, 2301 Central Ave. N.E., Mpls. Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 a.m. Wed at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 1 Lourdes Place, Mpls 612-379-2259. Interment will follow at Lakewood Cemetery in Mpls. The family requests that in lieu of flowers memorials be sent to charity of choice. Rainville Brothers Funeral Chapel NE Mpls 612-789-3571

Published on May 26, 2006