Duffly Faces Governor's Council Vote On Nomination

BOSTON (AP) - Appeals Court Associate Justice Fernande "Nan" Duffly is facing an up-or-down vote on her nomination to the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court.

The Governor's Council is set to vote Wednesday.

During a six-hour confirmation hearing this past week, Duffly faced stern questioning from two of the nine members, Councilors Thomas Merrigan and Christopher Iannella.

And new Councilor Charles Cipollini tells the Herald News of Fall River that he will vote against Duffly's nomination.

Duffly needs the support of at least a majority of the nine-member panel to join the state's highest court.

The Governor's Council is headed by Lt. Gov. Timothy Murray, partner of Gov. Deval Patrick. He nominated Duffly.

If confirmed, Duffly will be the court's first Asian-American justice. She was born in Indonesia.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)