Former US Supreme Court Justice David Souter Dies at 85

Former Supreme Court Justice David Souter, who was appointed by President George H.W. Bush and served from 1990 to 2009, passed away peacefully at his New Hampshire home at age 85. Initially expected to be a conservative stalwart, Souter instead became known for his judicial independence, often siding with liberal justices on issues such as abortion rights, church-state separation, and LGBTQ+ equality, emphasizing adherence to established precedent and the Constitution over partisan politics. His rulings upheld the separation of church and state, protected religious freedom in public schools, and supported landmark decisions like Roe v. Wade. Souter's career began in New Hampshire as an assistant attorney general, attorney general, and state Supreme Court justice before his federal appointments, and he remained engaged in civic education efforts during retirement. He was widely respected for his wisdom, kindness, and commitment to justice, earning accolades including being the first inductee on Concord High School’s Wall of Fame. Souter's unexpected judicial approach challenged conservative expectations and left a lasting impact on the Court and legal community.