Mass. Top Judge Underwent Surgery After Friday Heart Attack

Supreme Judicial Court Chief Justice Ralph Gants underwent surgery after suffering a heart attack on Friday, but said Tuesday that he expects to be discharged soon and return to the court in a limited capacity.

Gants, 65, has been the top judge on the state's highest court since 2014 when he was elevated to the role of chief justice by then-Gov. Deval Patrick. In a statement released by the court on Tuesday afternoon, Gants said he had a heart attack on Friday before the long weekend, but expects to be discharged "soon."

"I suffered a heart attack on Friday, September 4. I was admitted to the hospital where surgeons inserted 2 stents in the occluded artery, and I expect to be discharged soon. I also expect that I will be able to resume full duties, albeit initially on a limited basis," Gants said in his statement, not identifying the hospital where he was treated.

Gants was first appointed to the bench in 1997 when Gov. William Weld appointed him to the Superior Court bench. Patrick in 2009 made him an associate justice of the Supreme Judicial Court.

The September sitting of the Supreme Judicial Court is scheduled to begin Wednesday, and the court on Friday anticipates hearing a challenge to Gov. Charlie Baker's executive orders issued in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.