Rell nominates New Canaan resident as Supreme Court chief justice

Governor Jodi Rell (R-CT) nominated state Appellate Court Judge Chase Rogers Tuesday to be the next chief justice of the state Supreme Court. Fifty-year-old Rogers, who lives in New Canaan, has served on the Appellate Court for about a year. She became a Superior Court judge in 1998 after more than 14 years with the Stamford law firm of Cummings and Lockwood. Rell had picked Supreme Court Justice Peter Zarella last year to replace retired Chief Justice William Sullivan. However, Zarella asked that his name be withdrawn after state lawmakers learned Sullivan had delayed the release of a court decision in an effort to help Zarella win confirmation. State lawmakers intend to hold hearings on Sullivan's actions later this year. Rogers' nomination must still be confirmed by the Legislature.