PITTSBURGH, Pa. - Max Baer, the chief justice of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, has died at the age of 74, the court confirmed on Saturday.
His death comes just months before he was set to retire.Baer's "sudden passing" came overnight at his home near Pittsburgh, the court said in a news release.
Justice Debra Todd is reportedly set to become chief justice."Chief Justice Baer was an influential and intellectual jurist whose unwavering focus was on administering fair and balanced justice," Todd said. "He was a tireless champion for children, devoted to protecting and providing for our youngest and most vulnerable citizens."Pennsylvania Gov.
Tom Wolfe has ordered all commonwealth flags to fly half staff in honor of the "respected and esteemed jurist.""I'm extremely saddened to learn that Chief Justice Baer passed away," Wolf said. "He was a respected and esteemed jurist with decades of service to our courts and our commonwealth.