Conservative Judge Roberts might reverse decisions like legalised abortion

IF confirmed by the Republican-controlled Senate, Judge Roberts would succeed on the nine-member court retiring Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, who has long been a swing vote on a court divided narrowly on issues such as abortion, states’ rights and the death penalty.

In making his first nomination to the court, US President George W Bush had an opportunity to expand his conservative agenda and extend it past his presidency.

Justices serve until they retire or die.