By JIM BARON

PROVIDENCE — Mired in the middle of a messy divorce case to which his involvement has brought high-profile media attention, retired Supreme Court Chief Justice Frank Williams announced Tuesday that he will not hear any more cases for the time being.

Williams, 69, stepped down from the high court at the end of last year, but has continued hearing cases and issuing opinions while the court is short handed. He was replaced as chief justice by Paul Suttell, an associate justice of the Supreme Court, so the court is still down one justice until a replacement for Suttell is appointed by the governor and confirmed by the General Assembly.
In a news release issued Tuesday by Michael Doyle of RDW Group, who has been doing public relations work for Williams since the divorce controversy began, Williams said he asked Suttell not to assign him any additional cases for hearing or decision “at this time.”
Williams said he will complete cases that he has already taken part in and “will also be willing to assist the court as needed.”
Suttell quickly issued a statement of his own accepting Williams’ decision and calling it “what is best for the court.”
“There’s no question that this matter had become a distraction,” Suttell said in a release issued by the court. “It is clearly in the best interests of the Judiciary that the former Chief Justice be relieved of judicial responsibilities at this time.”
Suttell said he will not assign Williams to perform any further judicial duties as a retired justice of the Supreme Court, adding that Williams will not take the bench when the court convenes next Tuesday.
Suttell praised Williams’ accomplishments as chief justice, saying he had inherited a Judiciary that is on solid ground, thanks to Williams’ vision and leadership.
Under Rhode Island law, a retired justice of the Supreme Court may be “assigned to perform such services… as the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court shall prescribe.”
Williams’ name was mentioned in the divorce proceeding of Deputy Sheriff Pamela DosReis, who used to be Williams’ driver, and her husband, Frank DosReis, a corrections officer. According to Family Court testimony and documents, Williams spent time at the family’s home, including overnight visits, and, was close to the couple’s 6-year-old daughter. Williams is the child’s godfather.
Family Court Chief Judge Jeremiah Jeremiah ordered Williams to have no contact with the girl while she is with either parent.
It was later revealed that Williams secured a job as a court janitor for Pamela DosReis’ mother, Patrice Calise.
“The events surrounding the family court matter are personal in nature, but the media accounts are causing an unwarranted and unnecessary distraction for the court,” Williams said in his statement.  “The welfare of the judiciary has always been extremely important to me.  I do not want it adversely affected by personal and collateral matters.”
Williams said he hopes his decision to step down will afford the family a greater degree of privacy.  “This is a very difficult time for the family, and I hope that their privacy will be respected,” he said.