Retiring Ind. Chief Justice Wants Court Diversity
Fair Courts E-lert
Bibliographic Info:
Author: Charles Wilson
Source: Associated Press
Date: December 07, 2011
“I think it is important for public institutions, including the Supreme Court, to reflect the people who we serve … and that means people from different walks of life … different racial backgrounds, and both men and women,” Indiana Chief Justice Randall T. Shepard in an Associated Press article. Last Wednesday Chief Justice Shepard announced his intention to retire. Simultaneously, Chief Justice Shepard expressed his hope that the state judicial nominating commission—which he will lead—considers “a diverse list of nominees.” The Indiana Supreme Court is one of only three state high courts that do not have a female justice. Currently, the five-member court contains one African-American justice.
See also: Jon Murray and Mary Beth Schneider, Retirement Creates Chance for More Diverse Court, Lafayette Journal and Courier, December 8, 2011.