Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia Dies At Age 79
Conservative Court Justice Antonin Scalia, who voted against Obamacare, same-sex gay marriage and said affirmative action sends black students to schools “too advanced” for them, has peacefully passed away at age 79 while in Texas for a visit. Scalia told friends he wasn’t feeling well Friday night before going to sleep and never waking up.
Per CNN:
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, a leading conservative voice on the high court, has died at the age of 79, a government source and a family friend told CNN on Saturday.
Scalia died in his sleep during a visit to Texas. A government official said Scalia went to bed Friday night and told friends he wasn’t feeling well. He didn’t get up for breakfast on Saturday morning, and the group he was with for a hunting trip left without him.
Someone at the ranch went in to check on him and found him unresponsive.
The U.S. Marshals Service is helping to arrange for his body to be returned to his home in McLean, Virginia, an official told CNN, not to investigate his death.
They were already present because marshals sometimes help supplement security for traveling justices.
In a statement, Chief Justice John Roberts said he and other justices were saddened to hear of Scalia’s passing.
“He was an extraordinary individual and jurist, admired and treasured by his colleagues,” Roberts said. “His passing is a great loss to the court and the country he so loyally served. We extend our deepest condolences to his wife Maureen and his family.”
Now the issue is whether President Obama will nominate his replacement (in an election year), or swill he let the next president decide. Sources tell CNN he plans to nominate a replacement.
