Federal Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein, who presided over high-profile cases involving former President Donald Trump and Nicolás Maduro, died on October 28 at the age of 92, the Southern District of New York confirmed.
Hellerstein, a Clinton appointee confirmed in 1998, had served on the bench for decades and was overseeing multiple ongoing cases at the time of his death. His passing prompted the immediate reassignment of the Maduro case, which had been scheduled for trial in June 2025. A new judge will be randomly assigned to preside over the matter, according to court officials.
Hellerstein’s Career and Legacy
Hellerstein, a graduate of Columbia University who served in the U.S. Army JAG Corps from 1957 to 1960, was known for his long tenure and rigorous approach to high-stakes cases. His judicial career included presiding over September 11, 2001 attack-related civil cases, where he frequently rejected settlements he deemed unfair to victims.
In recent months, Hellerstein had been actively engaged in the Maduro case, which involves charges of narco-terrorism, conspiracy to commit torture, and drug trafficking. On October 8, during a bail hearing for Maduro’s wife, Cilia Flores, Hellerstein acknowledged vocal difficulties but insisted he would continue presiding over the trial. He had previously entered a not guilty plea on Maduro’s behalf after the defendant twice refused to do so.
Trump Case Rulings
Hellerstein also presided over Trump’s efforts to dismiss his 2024 hush money conviction, rejecting multiple motions to move the case from state to federal court or dismiss it on presidential immunity grounds. The judge’s rulings repeatedly upheld the state court’s jurisdiction over the matter.
Cause of Death and Succession
The court did not immediately disclose the cause of Hellerstein’s death, though Chief Judge Laura Taylor Swain described his service as “energetic and dedicated until his death.” Hellerstein was less than one year from his 93rd birthday.
The Southern District of New York confirmed that a new judge would be assigned to the Maduro case following Hellerstein’s death, though no timeline for reassignment was provided.