![]() But in the years afterward, she seemed to move somewhat to the left. Gore case that halted the ballot recount in Florida and made George W. In 2000, she joined the 5-4 decision in the Bush vs. Overall, she had a moderate-conservative record, but she cast key votes to preserve abortion rights and to permit affirmative action admissions policies at universities. Sandra Day O'Connor, First Female Supreme Court Justice, Withdraws From Public Life After Dementia Diagnosisįor much of her 24-year career on the court, she was its most influential justice, the one who decided the biggest cases. "Since many people have asked about my current status and activities, I want to be open about these changes, and while I am still able, share some personal thoughts." The letter comes a day after the Associated Press reported that O'Connor had stepped back from public life. "As this condition has progressed, I am no longer able to participate in public life," she wrote. Sandra Day O'Connor Diagnosed With Dementia In a letter addressed to “friends and fellow Americans,” Justice O’Connor, 88, wrote that she was told she had early-stage dementia “some time ago” and that doctors believed it was most likely Alzheimer’s disease. Sandra Day O’Connor, the first woman to serve as a justice on the United States Supreme Court and a critical swing vote for much of her tenure, revealed on Tuesday that she had dementia and had decided to withdraw from public life as the disease advanced. Sandra Day O’Connor, First Female Supreme Court Justice, Says She Has Dementia O'Connor was the first woman to serve as a justice on the Supreme Court. ![]() ![]() “While the final chapter of my life with dementia may be trying, nothing has diminished my gratitude and deep appreciation for the countless blessings in my life," Sandra Day O'Connor wrote in a letter to "friends and fellow Americans." She said her doctors believe it's likely Alzheimer's. Noting that Minnesota does not have the death penalty, O'Connorsaid, "You must breathe a big sigh of relief every day.Sandra Day O’Connor To Step Away From Public Life Following Dementia Diagnosis O'Connor said one inmate was executed in 1982, compared to 85last year. She said there were 856 deathrow inmates across the country that year, compared to 3,711 in2000. O'Connor noted a rise in the number of executions since she wasappointed to the high court in 1981. "Perhaps it's time to look at minimum standards for appointedcounsel in death cases and adequate compensation for appointedcounsel when they are used," she said. She also said the quality of defense lawyers for people incapital cases has been inadequate in too many cases. But she said most states with capitalpunishment have not passed laws addressing post-conviction testing. O'Connor said the growing availability of DNA testing mayalleviate some concerns. O'Connor, who has been a swing vote on several death penaltycases, said six death row inmates were exonerated and released lastyear, and that 90 inmates have been exonerated and set free since1973. "If statistics are any indication, the system may well beallowing some innocent defendants to be executed," O'Connor saidMonday in a speech to the Minnesota Women Lawyers group. M I N N E A P O L I S, J- Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connorsaid there are "serious questions" about whether the deathpenalty is being fairly administered in the United States. ![]()
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