Former Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens has died at the age of 99, ABC News reported.
JUST IN: Retired Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens has died at the age of 99, @ABC News has confirmed. https://t.co/nkU3SdEiRp pic.twitter.com/Ek037JIN9g
— ABC News (@ABC) July 17, 2019
"Retired Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, John Paul Stevens, died this evening at Holy Cross Hospital in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, of complications following a stroke he suffered on July 15. He passed away peacefully with his daughters by his side. He was 99 years old," the Supreme Court confirmed.
Chief Justice John Roberts released the following statement on behalf of the high court:
On behalf of the Court and retired Justices, I am saddened to report that our colleague Justice John Paul Stevens has passed away. A son of the Midwest heartland and a veteran of World War II, Justice Stevens devoted his long life to public service, including 35 years on the Supreme Court. He brought to our bench an inimitable blend of kindness, humility, wisdom, and independence. His unrelenting commitment to justice has left us a better nation. We extend our deepest condolences to his children Elizabeth and Susan, and to his extended family.
Stevens was nominated to the Supreme Court by President Gerald Ford (R). He served on the Supreme Court from 1975 to 2010. When he retired, President Barack Obama appointed current Justice Elena Kagan.
Although Stevens was nominated by a Republicans president, as he got older, he frequently joined the liberal wing of the court. He voted to limit the use of the death penalty, uphold affirmative action, broaden the core holding of Roe v. Wade and argue for a strict separation of church and state, ABC News reported.
This is a breaking news story. As more information becomes available, this post will be updated.