"unacceptable under contemporary standards in its unique and inherent capacity to inflict pain" and that it discriminated against minorities, "particularly blacks." He wrote, "We reject any suggestion that racial discrimination is confined to the South or to any other geographical area." He was generally anti-abortion as well. Retirement and death He retired at the mandatory age of 70. His health declined sharply during his last year and he died in a nursing home in Needham, where he had lived for many years. References "Edward Hennessey, at 88; former SJC chief justice known for elegant opinions", The Boston Globe, March 9, 2007. 1919 births 2007 deaths United States Army personnel of World War II Northeastern University alumni Chief Justices of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court 20th-century American judges United States Army soldiers