Former leading judge dies

Washington - A retired US Supreme Court justice, Judge Lewis Powell, who during 15 years earned a reputation as the conscience…

Washington - A retired US Supreme Court justice, Judge Lewis Powell, who during 15 years earned a reputation as the conscience of the Supreme Court, has died at the age of 90.

Judge Powell supported abortion rights, affirmative action for blacks, other minorities and women to overcome past discrimination and continued separation of church and state. In retirement, he expressed misgivings about capital punishment.

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