Wiley Manuel

Wiley William Manuel (August 28, 1927–January 5, 1981) was an American judge, lawyer, and politician. He was an associate justice of the Supreme Court of California from 1977 to 1981 and the first African American to serve on the high court.

Biography Manuel was born in Oakland, California, grew up near Ward and Dohr Streets in South Berkeley, and was educated in the public schools.

Following law school, Manuel worked for 23 years in the California Attorney General's office, rising to chief assistant attorney general in the San Francisco office. In March 1956, then-Deputy Attorney General Manuel announced that municipalities adding fluoride to public drinking water cannot be charged with practicing dentistry.

In January 1976, California Governor Jerry Brown appointed Manuel to the post of judge of the Alameda County Superior Court.

On February 12, 1977, Governor Brown elevated Manuel to the Supreme Court. On March 8, 1977, he was approved by the Judicial Qualifications Commission, he was sworn in on March 24, 1977, and took his seat on April 5, 1977. He was the first African American justice of the Supreme Court. Among his notable cases is the criminal prosecution against William and Emily Harris of the Symbionese Liberation Army on charges of kidnapping Patricia Hearst in 1974. In August 1977, Manuel wrote the 6 – 1 majority opinion that the trial court abused its discretion in denying the defendants' request for state-appointed counsel of their choosing.

Manuel served for only four years before he died of stomach cancer. The Wiley Manuel Courthouse, part of the Alameda County Superior Court, was named after him.

Personal life In 1948, he married Eleanor M. Williams, and resided in Oakland, California.