Supreme Court nominee under fire over email withdraws

HARRISBURG (AP) — A white Pennsylvania Supreme Court nominee under fire after apparently forwarding a racially insensitive email has withdrawn his name from consideration.

Centre County President Judge Thomas Kistler said in a statement Monday that dramatic change in the county's court system left urgent matters that require his full attention.

He did not address the email showing a black couple talking through glass via a jailhouse phone under the heading, "Merry Christmas from the Johnsons."

The Philadelphia Inquirer reported Friday the email was sent to more than 20 people in December 2013.

Kistler did not immediately return a telephone message from The Associated Press.

Gov. Tom Wolf nominated Kistler two weeks ago to fill a temporary spot on the seven-member court. He'd been recommended by Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman of Centre County.

http://www.poconorecord.com/article/20150223/NEWS/150229806