June 26, 2006 – Gov. Charles W. Turnbull has named Judge Rhys S. Hodge to replace retiring Presiding Judge of the Superior Court Maria M. Cabret.
Cabret, who retires June 30, has served as judge of the Territorial Court for 12 years – and as presiding judge for seven.
She was the first woman, the first Hispanic and the first Crucian to serve as presiding judge of the then-Territorial Court. She replaced Judge Verne Hodge when he retired after 23 years on the bench – 20 of them as presiding judge.
In her letter to the governor, Cabret said, "It was an honor and a pleasure to work with a cadre of fine jurists, and with a competent, devoted, professional and caring court staff, who on a daily basis, work tirelessly to advance the quality of justice in our community," according to a release from Government House.
Turnbull thanked Cabret on behalf of the people of the Virgin Islands, saying that Cabret had displayed "the dedication, wisdom, insight and judicial temperament required for judicial appointees."
Hodge, who will take over as presiding judge on July 1, was the first naturalized citizen to be appointed to the Territorial Court bench. A native of Anguilla, Hodge was appointed to the bench in 2000. Hodge is a past president of the V.I. Bar Association and a member of the National Bar Association.
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