Mass Gov. Deval Patrick hails jurist as ideal pick for Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court

[Ian David]

By April Simpson, Globe Staff | July 27, 2007

Governor Deval Patrick introduced Suffolk Superior Court Judge Margot G. Botsford yesterday as his first nominee to the state's highest court.

If confirmed by the Governor's Council, Botsford will fill the vacancy on the Supreme Judicial Court created when Justice Martha B. Sosman died in March. Patrick said he was looking for someone with a respect for precedent and an understanding that the constitution is a "living document."

<snip>

Sharing the stage with several family members, Botsford said she would follow the precedent of the court's 4-to-3 ruling in 2003 that legalized same-sex marriage in Massachusetts, but declined to say how she would have ruled had she been on the court at the time.

Botsford said she recently officiated a same-sex marriage for friends. "That was an experience that made me realize how critically important this right is to many, many people," she said.


Superior Court Judge Margot G. Botsford addressed the media yesterday after she was introduced by Governor Deval Patrick as his nominee to the Supreme Judicial Court. (PAT GREENHOUSE/GLOBE STAFF)

More:
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2007/07/27/patrick_hails_jurist_as_ideal_pick_for_sjc/?rss_id=Boston+Globe+--+City%2FRegion+News

[zippy890]

1. great pick from Deval

Thankfully we have a Democratic Governor who suppoerts same sex marriage!!