Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist Dies, Pat Robertson Seen Fleeing Scene with Holy Sniper Rifle

"William Hubbs Rehnquist, the 16th Chief Justice of the United States, died last night at his home in Arlington. He was 80.

Rehnquist, who had been suffering from thyroid cancer since last October, had managed to lead the court through its last term, which ended in June. But he went through 'a precipitous decline in his health in the last couple of days,' Supreme Court spokeswoman Kathy Arberg said.

William H. Rehnquist dies at age 80. His 33 years in the Great Hall has been exceeded by only seven others in history.

Rehnquist's death comes as the Senate is preparing for hearings on President Bush's nomination of John G. Roberts Jr. to replace Sandra Day O'Connor as an associate justice. Those hearings are set to begin on Tuesday. O'Connor, 75, announced her retirement on July 1, effective upon the confirmation of a successor." (more)