Photo from: http://www.nesl.edu/media/news.cfm?newsDetailID=3999BOSTON (MyFoxBoston.com) - The judge that ruled a convicted killer was entitled to a taxpayer-funded sex reassignment procedure has announced he is stepping aside.
U.S. District Court Chief Judge Mark Wolf informed President Barack Obama of his decision Tuesday. Wolf said he will continue to provide "substantial service," though senior judges have a lighter caseload.
Wolf's new status will create a vacancy that will give the district court a new, additional judge.
Wolf was nominated to the court by President Ronald Reagan in 1985.
His seven-year term as chief judge ends on Dec. 31. Wolf said he will be 66 by Jan. 1, when he will begin his status as a senior judge.
Wolf recently issued a landmark ruling, ordering the state Department of Correction to provide sex-reassignment surgery for a convicted murderer.
Judge Patti Saris will become chief judge when Wolf's term ends.
