WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, the most senior member of the court and a key part of the court's conservative wing, has died. He was 79 years old.
The cause of death was not immediately announced.
Scalia was known for his brash, outspoken style and for his conservative approach to the law. One of the most controversial justices in recent memory, Scalia adhered to a philosophy known as 'originalism,' which sought to interpret the constitution the way the framers might have. This ideology formed the backbone of the the conservative wing of the court.
'He was an extraordinary individual and jurist, admired and treasured by his colleagues,' Chief Justice John Roberts said in a statement. 'His passing is a great loss to the Court and the country he so loyally served.'
Scalia had served on the court for three decades, having been appointed by President Ronald Reagan in 1986. Prior to moving to the Supreme Court, Scalia was a judge for U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.
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