Marathon Co. Judge retires after 30 years - WAOW - Newsline 9, Wausau News, Weather, Sports

Judge Vincent Howard has seen and heard a lot from the bench.

"It turned out to be a very rewarding job," Vincent said.

Now, after 30 years of service in Marathon County, Judge Howard has retired.

"I'm leaving a job I really love, I love the work, I love the law."

And in the early days of retirement, he's already looking back.

"When I first took the bench the most serious cases were burglaries, now there's homicides," Howard explained.

Throughout the decades, Judge Howard has been a part of thousands of cases. But, when asked about the most memorable, he didn't hesitate. 

"The Neumann case, it was the most interesting, with all the religious overtones and the fact that a child died," Howard said.

That case dates back to 2009. Dale and Leilani Neumann were found guilty of second degree reckless homicide. The case is still being appealed to this day but back then Judge Howard presided. The Neumann's prayed for their daughters recovery instead of seeking medical help.

"It was a strange situation. A challenging case," Howard said.

But, he says even the most memorable cases must find their place.

"You develop a habit when you're a judge to try to push it off to the side as soon as you can because you have new cases coming in."

Cases aside, Judge Howard says it's the people who mean the most.

"That's something I'll just miss, the commodore that you have with everyone."

So as he prepares for retirement, he realizes something, "there's no next case," he says to me with a smile. That means he must find a new daily routine.

"I'll find something to keep me busy, keep me moving." 

But, he says being a judge will always be part of him.

"The gavel is at home with me," Howard says with a laugh.