New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is ousting the only black justice on the state Supreme Court.
The new Republican governor made his announcement Monday, weeks before the end of Justice John E. Wallace's seven-year first term.
Instead, he's nominating Morris County lawyer Anne Murray Patterson to the seat.
Christie had to choose between reappointing Wallace until he turns 70 on March 13, 2012, or removing him from the court this month.
It's Christie's first action regarding the makeup of the state's Supreme Court, which he criticized during last year's gubernatorial campaign as too activist and liberal. Wallace, is the first member of the court not to be reappointed after an initial 7-year term.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
