Elko District Judge Andrew Puccinelli, the man who was slated to preside over both the Toni Fratto and Kody Patten murder trials died Monday of pancreatic cancer.
Puccinelli was born and raised in Elko, Nevada. He graduated from Elko High School in 1971. In 1975, he graduated with distinction from the University of the Pacific.
Puccinelli received his law degree from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law in 1978 where he was named an outstanding student advocate by the Moot
Court Honors Board. During his time in law school, he worked summers as a law clerk for the Nevada Supreme Court, primarily for Justice Cameron Batjer
After his graduation from law school, Puccinelli returned to Elko where he joined his father, Leo Puccinelli, in the practice of law. He practiced law at Puccinelli & Puccinelli for 24 years, a general practice firm emphasizing probate, real estate, civil, and criminal litigation. Puccinelli, during his years in private practice, was active in the State Bar of Nevada, serving as its president in 1998/1999. He further worked as a Nevada Supreme Court arbitrator and civil settlement judge.
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Puccinelli was appointed to the District Court bench on September 23, 2002.
He was a member of the Court Improvement Committee, the Access to Justice Commission, and Specialty Court Funding Committee.
He was be President of the Nevada District Judges Association in 2010/2011.
Puccinelli enjoyed playing golf and has worked as a high school sports official,
Officiating football and basketball for 33 years. He is survived by wife Margaret; daughter, Cassi; sons James and Phillip.
“Myself and my staff extend our sincere condolences,” said fellow Elko District Judge Michael Memeo. “Judge Puccinelli will long be remembered in the community.”
Diagnosed earlier this year with stage 4 pancreatic cancer, Puccinelli had not been on the bench since early May and was not expected to make a quick return while he was undergoing treatment for the deadly disease. Indeed one of the last cases he ever heard was the hearing in which the confession of Toni Fratto was released to the court and the public.
