Justice Antonin Scalia dead at 79

WASHINGTON (AP)

Antonin Scalia, the influential conservative and most provocative member of the Supreme Court, has died. He was 79.

The U.S. Marshals Service in Washington confirmed Scalia’s death at a private residence in the Big Bend area of South Texas.

The service’s spokeswoman, Donna Sellers, says Scalia had retired for the evening and was found dead Saturday morning when he did not appear for breakfast.

Scalia used his keen intellect and missionary zeal in an unyielding attempt to move the court farther to the right and to get it to embrace his “originalist” view of judging after his 1986 appointment by President Ronald Reagan.

His 2008 opinion for the court in favor of gun rights was his crowning moment in more than 30 years on the bench.

He was a strong advocate for privacy in favoring restrictions on police searches and protections for defendants’ rights. But he also voted consistently to let states outlaw abortions, to allow a closer relationship between government and religion, to permit executions and to limit lawsuits.

Scalia’s impact on the court was muted by his seeming disregard for moderating his views to help build consensus.

Among reactions to his passing, Ohio Gov. John Kasich issued this statement:

"I am deeply saddened by the passing of Justice Scalia and send my prayers out for his family in this difficult time. His death is a serious loss to our nation and the Court. He was an essential, principled force for conservative thought and is a model for others to follow. His dedication to the Constitution and love for and service to our country will be deeply missed."

US Rep. Tim Ryan of Howland, D-13th, offered his thoughts and prayers are to Scalia's family and friends and thanked Scalia "for his dedicated service to the Court and to our country.

"Justice Scalia had a huge impact on the Court, and while I often disagreed with him, I always respected his intellect and his commitment, especially to the law students he knew would follow in his footsteps," Ryan said.

One of Scalia's colleagues on the court, Chief Justice John Roberts, said, “He was an extraordinary individual and jurist, admired and treasured by his colleagues. His passing is a great loss to the Court and the country he so loyally served. We extend our deepest condolences to his wife Maureen and his family.”

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said, “Justice Antonin Scalia was a man of God, a patriot, and an unwavering defender of the written Constitution and the Rule of Law. He was the solid rock who turned away so many attempts to depart from and distort the Constitution. His fierce loyalty to the Constitution set an unmatched example, not just for judges and lawyers, but for all Americans.”

Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine said he was saddened to hear Scalia's unexpected death.

"Justice Scalia had a brilliant legal mind, and was a fierce defender of the Constitution and the rule of law.

"Justice Scalia was appointed by President Ronald Reagan, and was one of the most influential justices in history. Justice Scalia had a profound influence on the direction of the Court."

"Fran and I extend our sincere condolences to his family."