Title: Matter of Capano
Citation: N/A
Docket Number: 547, 2001
State: Delaware
Issuer: Delaware Supreme Court
Date: November 15, 2001

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE
IN THE MATTER OF A
MEMBER OF THE BAR OF
THE SUPREME COURT OF
DELAWARE:
THOMAS J. CAPANO,
Respondent.
§
§  No. 547, 2001
§
§  Board on Professional Responsibility
§  Case No. 109, 1997
§
§
§
Submitted: October 29, 2001
  Decided:
November 15, 2001
Before VEASEY, Chief Justice, WALSH, and HOLLAND, Justices.
O R D E R
This 15th day of November 2001, upon consideration of the parties’
Stipulation of Disbarment by Consent, it appears to the Court that:
(1)
On November 21, 1997, the respondent, Thomas Capano, was
suspended from the practice of law on an interim basis pending the final
disposition of felony criminal charges against him. On January 17, 1999,
following a Superior Court jury trial, Capano was convicted of first degree
murder.  On March 16, 1999, Capano was sentenced to death by lethal
injection.  This Court affirmed Capano’s conviction and sentence on direct
appeal.1
                                                
1 Capano v. State, Del. Supr., 781 A.2d 556 (2001).
2
(2)
Given his conviction of a serious crime that reflects on his
fitness as a lawyer,2 Capano, through his counsel, and Chief Disciplinary
Counsel have signed and submitted for the Court’s approval a stipulation
seeking Capano’s disbarment from the practice of law without further
proceedings. 
Having 
considered 
the 
parties’ 
stipulation 
and 
the
circumstances of this case, the Court concludes that the stipulation to
disbarment by consent should be accepted.  Capano’s misconduct clearly is
serious enough to warrant disbarment without further proceedings.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS ORDERED that Thomas J. Capano is
hereby DISBARRED from the practice of law in Delaware.  His name shall
be stricken immediately from the roll of attorneys licensed to practice before
the Courts of this State.  The Office of Disciplinary Counsel shall
disseminate this Order in accordance with Rule 14 of the Delaware Lawyers’
Rules of Disciplinary Procedure.
BY THE COURT:
  /s/ E. Norman Veasey
Chief Justice
                                                
2 DEL. L.R. PROF. COND. 8.4(b).