James Hankinson honored: The late circuit judge's old courtroom now named after him

The memory of the late Circuit Judge James C. Hankinson will live on in his former courtroom.

Leon County's government and the 2nd Judicial Circuit dedicated courtroom 3A in the Leon County Courthouse in his honor. A ceremony took place Friday.

A press release explained: Hankinson, "appointed to the bench in 2002 by Gov. Jeb Bush, exemplified unwavering dedication and innovation throughout his tenure. As a circuit judge, he presided over some of the most serious and complicated criminal trials in Leon County."

As previously reported, he presided over the trials of serial killer Gary Michael Hilton, who brutally murdered Tallahassee nurse Cheryl Dunlap; Denise Williams, who took part in a plot to kill her husband, Mike Williams; Sigfredo Garcia, one of two hit men who killed Florida State University law professor Dan Markel; and Henry Segura, who killed Brandi Peters and her three young children.

But Hankinson also was "instrumental in establishing the 2nd Judicial Circuit’s animal therapy program, a pioneering initiative that allows therapy dogs to comfort children testifying in criminal court," the release said. "This program has now been expanded to dependency and delinquency proceedings, and even includes adults in certain cases. This program was the first in the State of Florida and serves as the model for the rest of the State and courts throughout the country.

"In addition to his judicial duties, Judge Hankinson was a frequent instructor at the Florida Conference of Circuit Judges and the Florida College of Advanced Judicial Studies, where he shared his knowledge and experience with fellow judges."

Hankinson retired in 2020 and died July 6, 2023. "His legacy of dedication, compassion, and innovation continues to influence the legal community and the lives of those he served," the release said.

'A legend':Retired Judge James Hankinson dies. He presided over city's biggest trials.