JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — During his five terms as the State Attorney for Jacksonville’s 4th Judicial Circuit, Harry Shorstein handled more than his share of high-profile, nationally-recognized cases.
Shorstein died Friday at age 86.
“We are saddened to announce the passing of former State Attorney Harry Shorstein,” a post on the judicial circuit’s Facebook page read. “Shorstein was a true public servant ... a combat-decorated U.S. Marine in Vietnam before he returned home to serve his community.”
Shorstein, who served as state attorney from 1991–2008, prosecuted 14-year-old Josh Phillip for killing 8-year-old Maddie Clifton with a bat in 1998, as well as several other big cases.
At the time, Phillips was the youngest person ever convicted of murder after killing his neighbor girl and stowing her dead body under his bed.
Shorstein also prosecuted white supremacist George Loeb in 1991 for a high-profile hate crime of Black U.S. Navy sailor Harold Mansfield Jr. outside a Jacksonville lounge.
In 2001, he led the successful prosecution of Dr. William Sybers, the Panhandle medical examiner accused of murdering his wife, Kay Sybers.
In his impressive career, Shorstein also served as the city of Jacksonville’s general counsel.
“He believed deeply in delivering justice but also in second chances, a mission that is emblematic of his focus on working with at-risk youth,” Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan said. “His wisdom and heart will be missed.”
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