Cordy Joins the Supremes!
Newest high court justice approved
Associated PressWednesday, January 3, 2001
Robert Cordy, a former aide to Gov. William F. Weld,
was approved by an 8-0 vote of the Governor's Council today,
despite concerns that his nomination was rushed through.Cordy, 51, favors a woman's ``right to choose'' and capital
punishment, but he has pledged to put personal feelings aside once
approved.Marilyn Petitto Devaney, one of the eight-member Governor's Council
that approves all judicial nominations, voted for Cordy, but
complained that councilors had only two days after receiving Cordy's
full application to investigate his credentials.``It is an injustice to the council and to the candidate,'' she said.
Councilors had had between 14 days and 72 days to consider the five
previous SJC appointments, Devaney said.Cordy is the fourth SJC justice appointed by Cellucci, the first
governor in 30 years to name a majority of justices to the
seven-member court.Cellucci has touted his SJC choices as ``conservative'' justices who
adhere to a strict reading of existing law, rather than loosely
interpreting it to make new laws.Cordy replaces Judge Ruth I. Abrams, who reached the mandatory
retirement age of 70 last week.The other justices are Chief Justice Margaret H. Marshall; Neil L.
Lynch; John M. Greaney; Roderick L. Ireland; Francis X. Spina; Judith
A. Cowin; and Martha B. Sosman.