The Supreme Court avoided a catastrophic accident last year when a piece of marble at least 2 feet long crashed to the ground in an interior courtyard used by the justices and their aides, according to several court employees.
The incident, which the court still fails to acknowledge publicly, took place in the tense spring of 2022, as the court already was dealing with death threats and other security concerns and the justices were putting the final touches on their stunning decision overturning Roe v. Wade.
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Supreme Court spokeswoman Patricia McCabe would not provide any details about the incident or even confirm that it had taken place.
Because of the coronavirus pandemic, the building was closed at the time to the public and members of the news media who regularly cover the court.
In addition to restoring the marble, workers also are updating fountains, plumbing and electrical systems that date to the building’s opening in 1935.
In November 2005, marble molding fell from the facade over the entrance to the court, landing on the steps near visitors waiting to enter the building on a Monday morning.
Chief Justice John Roberts made a joking reference to the 2005 incident when he spoke at Drake University’s law school three years later.
“Now, there were a lot of reasons that we had to renovate the building, including the fact that we were literally losing our marbles,” Roberts said, as quoted in a university news release.
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