Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia dead at 79

WASHINGTON — Antonin Scalia, the influential conservative and most provocative member of the Supreme Court, has died. He was 79.

The U.S. Marshals Service in Washington confirmed Scalia’s death at a private residence in the Big Bend area of South Texas.

The service’s spokeswoman, Donna Sellers, says Scalia had retired for the evening and was found dead Saturday morning when he did not appear for breakfast.

Scalia used his keen intellect and missionary zeal in an unyielding attempt to move the court farther to the right and to get it to embrace his “originalist” view of judging after his 1986 appointment by President Ronald Reagan.

His 2008 opinion for the court in favor of gun rights was his crowning moment in more than 30 years on the bench.

He was a strong advocate for privacy in favoring restrictions on police searches and protections for defendants’ rights. But he also voted consistently to let states outlaw abortions, to allow a closer relationship between government and religion, to permit executions and to limit lawsuits.

Scalia’s impact on the court was muted by his seeming disregard for moderating his views to help build consensus.

FILE – In this Wednesday, April 7, 2004 file photo, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia speaks to Presbyterian Christian High School students in Hattiesburg, Miss. On Saturday, Feb. 13, 2016, the U.S. Marshall’s Service confirmed that Scalia has died at the age of 79. (Gavin Averill/The Hattiesburg American via AP)

https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/web1_108677534-de8e9e87a0804d68b083240e619b3091.jpg.optimal.jpgFILE – In this Wednesday, April 7, 2004 file photo, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia speaks to Presbyterian Christian High School students in Hattiesburg, Miss. On Saturday, Feb. 13, 2016, the U.S. Marshall’s Service confirmed that Scalia has died at the age of 79. (Gavin Averill/The Hattiesburg American via AP)

FILE – In this Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2007 file photo, Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia smiles during his introduction at the Intercontinental Hotel in Cleveland, as part of a Cleveland Clinic speakers series. On Saturday, Feb. 13, 2016, the U.S. Marshals Service confirmed that Scalia has died at the age of 79. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan)

https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/web1_108677534-c9949a000d6543c99835563c50d10169.jpg.optimal.jpgFILE – In this Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2007 file photo, Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia smiles during his introduction at the Intercontinental Hotel in Cleveland, as part of a Cleveland Clinic speakers series. On Saturday, Feb. 13, 2016, the U.S. Marshals Service confirmed that Scalia has died at the age of 79. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan)

FILE – In this June 17, 1986 file photo, President Ronald Reagan speaks at a news briefing at the White House in Washington, where he announced the nomination of Antonin Scalia, left, to the Supreme Court as a result of Chief Justice Warren E. Burger’s resignation. William Rehnquist is at right. On Saturday, Feb. 13, 2016, the U.S. Marshals Service confirmed that Justice Scalia has died at the age of 79. (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)

https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/web1_108677534-dcd2a788d6a544039c2446cf1d350e76.jpg.optimal.jpgFILE – In this June 17, 1986 file photo, President Ronald Reagan speaks at a news briefing at the White House in Washington, where he announced the nomination of Antonin Scalia, left, to the Supreme Court as a result of Chief Justice Warren E. Burger’s resignation. William Rehnquist is at right. On Saturday, Feb. 13, 2016, the U.S. Marshals Service confirmed that Justice Scalia has died at the age of 79. (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)