Stevens hears last argument as justice

[usregimechange]

WASHINGTON (AP) -- It was a classic John Paul Stevens tactic: wait until the closing seconds and then ask a lawyer a pointed question.

The 90-year-old justice employed it for the last time Wednesday as he sat through the final high court arguments of his 35-year career.

Stevens has announced his retirement this summer. He will continue to appear with the court through June, issuing and writing opinions on cases that were argued last year and earlier this year.

But Wednesday's arguments - over whether the name of petition signers who wanted to overturn Washington state's domestic partnership law should be made public - was his last chance to interact with lawyers appearing before the court.

Known as a gentle but pointed interrogator, the bespectacled Stevens has heard more than 3,500 arguments from lawyers in the Supreme Court's courtroom. So as is his custom, Stevens - wearing his usual bow tie - rocked back and forth in his chair for most of the arguments.

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_SUPREME_COURT_STEVENS?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT


:cry:

[UTUSN]

1. K&R #1 in appreciation. n/t