Massachusetts SJC Chief Justice Gants dies, remembered as a ‘giant’ in legal community
Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Chief Justice Ralph Gants — a “giant” in the legal community and a “courageous leader” for civil rights and civil liberties — has died after recently suffering a heart attack. He was 65.
Bay State leaders and members of the legal community said they were shocked and saddened by the loss of Gants, and remembered him for always trying to seek justice for every person and improve the court system to make it equitable for everyone.
The associate justices of the Supreme Judicial Court on Monday made the announcement of Gants’ death, saying in a statement, “It is with deep sadness that the Associate Justices of the Supreme Judicial Court announce the death of Chief Justice Ralph D. Gants. Our hearts and prayers are with his family.”
Gants had recently suffered a heart attack and was admitted to the hospital, where surgeons inserted two stents, Gants himself said last week. He said he expected to be discharged soon.
“I also expect that I will be able to resume full duties, albeit initially on a limited basis,” Gants said last week.
Gants became the SJC chief justice in 2014 when he was sworn in by then-Gov. Deval Patrick. Five years earlier, Gants was appointed as an associate justice on the court. Before joining the SJC, he served for more than 11 years as an associate justice of the Massachusetts Superior Court
“I am shocked and deeply saddened by the passing of Chief Justice Ralph Gants,” Gov. Charlie Baker said in a statement. “He was a dedicated public servant of the highest order and sought to do justice his entire 40-year legal career. He led the Supreme Judicial Court with intelligence, integrity and distinction. In his decisions and in his role as the leader of the Commonwealth’s judicial branch, he always worked to promote the public good.”
House Speaker Robert DeLeo called Gants a “thoughtful and brilliant jurist.”
“A judicial leader, he worked to improve the lives of the residents of the Commonwealth,” DeLeo said in a statement.
Senate President Karen Spilka said Gants was an “important voice in reforming our criminal justice system.”
“It is that passion for justice and commitment to fairness that guided him through his decades of service — and for that, he will be missed,” Spilka said in a statement.
Patrick said that Gants’ passing is a “profound loss.”
Carol Rose, executive director of the ACLU of Massachusetts, said that Gants was a “giant within the legal community, and a courageous leader on civil rights and civil liberties.”
Gants was the driving force behind a Harvard Law report that was released last week. The research found racial disparities across the Bay State’s criminal justice system.
“He’d be looking forward to correcting those inequities,” said Martin Healy, chief legal counsel and COO of the Massachusetts Bar Association. “That’s the type of man he was.
“He wanted justice for every person,” Healy added. “He looked at the system as a whole and wanted to improve on that system, so everyone could be proud of the courts and the job they do.”
from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/32ux2Q9
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