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Virginia Supreme Court justice Leroy Hassell dies
February 11, 2011
Virginia: Yesterday, Supreme Court of Virginia Justice Leroy Hassell passed away at the age of 55, after battling a long illness. In addition to serving on the court twenty-two years, Hassell was the first African-American Chief Justice of the court. When he was sworn in as Chief Justice in 2002, Hassell remarked, "I do not wish to serve, however, because I happen to be black. Rather, I desire to serve because I am a Virginian by birth who has a strong affection and love for the commonwealth and its people."[1][2]
Prior to joining the Supreme Court, Hassell was a lawyer in private practice for nine years.[3]
The new vacancy on the Supreme Court will be filled via appointment. In Virginia, justices are elected to twelve-year terms by the Virginia State Legislature.[4]
Footnotes
- ↑ The Virginian-Pilot, "Virginia Supreme Court Justice Leroy Hassell dies at 55," February 10, 2011
- ↑ Richmond Times-Dispatch, "Virginia Supreme Court Justice Leroy R. Hassell Sr. dies at 55," February 10, 2011
- ↑ Project Vote Smart, Chief Justice Leroy Rountree Hassell, Sr. (VA)
- ↑ American Judicature Society, "Methods of Judicial Selection: Virginia," archived June 8, 2011
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