Morphis Jamiel passes away at 91

WARREN, R.I. (WPRI) -- Longtime probate judge Morphis Jamiel has passed away at the age of 91.

Jamiel, who was recently the subject of a profile by Eyewitness News Reporter Walt Buteau , died Saturday morning.

He served as a probate judge for 21 years, stepping down in December.  Prior to that post, he had served as a state legislator for 12 years, and as a member of the Warren Town Council.

Jamiel fought in World War II, participating in the Battle of the Bulge against the Germans as a platoon leader, where he saw many of his men killed or captured and narrowly escaped death himself.

In 1978, Jamiel's brother Amon was shot to death in his Warren home; that crime remains unsolved.

The 91 year-old remained active after he stepped down, driving to work every morning at his Warren law office - he refused to describe himself as 'retired.'