California Supreme Court Justice Marvin Baxter, 74, To Retire

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - California Supreme Court Justice Marvin Baxter says he will retire after serving more than 24 years on the state's highest court.

Baxter announced Wednesday that he would not stand for election in November and will step down when his term expires in January. The 74-year-old Fresno County native is considered one of the most politically conservative members of the court.

Baxter's announcement follows the retirement earlier this year of Justice Joyce Kennard, who Gov. Jerry Brown has yet to replace. If Brown is re-elected in November, Baxter's vacancy will be the third the governor will have a chance to fill on the seven-person court.

Brown earlier appointed Justice Goodwin Liu, a former law professor.