Chief Justice Dies, Flags to Fly Half-Staff

Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Thomas Moyer has died at 70-years-old.

He was the longest serving Chief Justice in the United States and began his service in January 1987.

A release from the court says he died at about 4 p.m. Friday after being admitted to a Columbus hospital Thursday morning. The release says Moyer been experiencing health problems, but they were not believed life threatening.

He planned to retire after finishing his current term at the end of the year.

Among his main efforts was to change the way judges are selected in Ohio. He also led efforts to revise Ohio felony, misdemeanor, traffic and juvenile sentencing laws adopted by the General Assembly.

Governor Ted Strickland has ordered U.S. and state flags to be flown at half-staff until sunset on the day of Justice Moyer’s funeral.