Honorees

Hon. William T. Low

1921-2004

Judge William T. Low, a native of Mason City, Iowa, moved with his family to Long Beach, California in 1933.  He graduated from UC Berkeley in 1943 and promptly joined the Navy where he became a commissioned officer.  During World War II, Judge Low served in combat in the Pacific as a commander of an LST amphibious ship.

After the war, Judge Low returned to California where he earned his law degree at Hastings College of Law in 1949.  In 1950 he joined the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office where he rose to the position of Chief Deputy District Attorney and then Assistant District Attorney.  During his tenure in the District Attorney’s Office, Judge Low tried numerous, high profile criminal cases.  He earned a reputation as a fair and effective prosecutor.

One of his most memorable prosecutions was securing four first-degree murder convictions for the robbery and killing of purported Mafioso Tony Mirabile.  The prior year, Low successfully prosecuted his only death penalty case against Harvey Glatman, who was dubbed the “Lonely Hearts Killer” for his rape and murder of several women in Southern California in the late 1950s.  Glatman met women through a dating club and convinced them to be bound and gagged so he could take photographs for his mystery stories; he would then strangle the women with their corded rope.  (People v. Glatman, 52 Cal.2d 283 (1959)). “I investigated the case myself, I talked to the witnesses and I tried to bring in the best case I could, feeling that if I tried the case to the best of my ability, I’ll be satisfied.” (SDUT 10/27/85).

Although Judge Low was a registered Republican, he was appointed to the Municipal Court by Governor Pat Brown in 1964.  He was appointed to the Superior Court in 1968 by Governor Ronald Reagan. 

In his 21 years on the bench, Judge Low earned a reputation for fairness.  He exhibited an extensive knowledge of criminal law, and was known for his superb judicial temperament.  He had a “wonderful rapport with the lawyers.  I’ve found that if you conduct your court with a sense of fairness, you’ll get that kind of response from the lawyers.”  (Id.)

Low presided over many highly publicized cases such as Daniel Altstadt (an honors Patrick Henry High School student, who killed three members of his family with his Boy Scout hatchet, left his younger brother paralyzed, and then committed suicide in prison); the Tubach murder trial (in which the wife, two daughters, and a ski instructor were charged with killing a prominent travel executive); the Edward Sanchez rape case (committed shortly after his release from a 17 year sentence); the Carol Hargis case (where two women conspired to kill a Marine Corp sergeant); and the Charles Carney case (the U.S. Supreme Court affirmed Judge Low’s ruling upholding the constitutionality of a warrantless search of a motor home). 

One colleague on the bench stated “You would never want to play poker with him.  You couldn’t tell what he was thinking.  He had the icy neutrality of a good judge.”  (SDUT 2/8/04 quoting Judge William Kennedy).  Superior Court Judge Tom Whelan, who had been the prosecutor in the emotionally-charged Altstadt case stated: “Both sides knew going in that he would be well prepared, and both sides walked out feeling they had a fair hearing.” (Id.) 

“He’s the most experienced, knowledgeable and respected judge in the area of criminal law.” (SDUT 10/27/85, quoting DA Edwin Miller, Jr. upon Low’s retirement).  “His decisions were considered and made after a great deal of thought and soul-searching.” (Id. quoting DA Richard Neely)  One colleague admired him as “the premier criminal judge” and noted that younger judges had frequently consulted Low for advice and “he’s always right.”  (Id. quoting Judge Donald Smith).

Even after he retired, Judge Low continued to be in demand as an assigned judge.  He traveled throughout the state hearing the most difficult criminal cases, including death penalty cases.  He strongly believed that both side of a case must be competent and that indigent defendants be well-represented.  “As the first chairperson of the county’s Office of Defenders Services board, Judge Low has always been in support of the indigent criminal defense work and tried to ensure that competent counsel was available for indigent defendants.”  (Id.quoting Alex Landon).

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