Which one of the US Supreme Court judges has made the decision to retire in June?"

Supreme Court Justice David Souter plans to retire this year, giving Obama his first chance to shape the court. Photo: Reuters Supreme Court Justice David Souter’s planned retirement touches off a fierce fight between the parties that could reinvigorate moping Republicans and, depending on his choice, enhance or tarnish President Barack Obama’s bipartisan image. Obama confirmed Souter's retirement Friday, making a surprise appearance in the White House briefing room to say Souter had informed him of his plans in a brief letter. As to his upcoming choice to fill the seat, Obama said he would seek “someone who understands justice is not just about some abstract legal theory,” but about how laws affect the daily lives of Americans. Potential opposition was already building, however. Within hours of Thursday night’s leak about Souter’s plans, Republicans were circulating claims that potential nominees were “liberal” and “activist,” and pointing reporters to comments that Obama and Vice ...  more

"The departure will open the first seat for a Democratic president to fill in 15 years and could prove a test of Mr. Obama’s plans for reshaping the nation’s judiciary. Confirmation battles for the Supreme Court in recent years have proved to be intensely partisan and divisive moments in Washington, but Mr. Obama has more leeway than his predecessors because his party holds such a strong majority in the Senate. Replacing Justice Souter with a liberal would not change the basic makeup of the court, where he and three other justices hold down the left wing against a conservative caucus of four justices.  more