Arizona impeachment trial judge Frank Gordon Jr. dies at 90

Former Arizona Supreme Court Chief Justice Frank X. Gordon Jr., who presided over the 1988 impeachment trial that resulted in the removal of Gov. Evan Mecham, has died. Gordon was 90.

Gordon died Monday, three days before his 91st birthday, the state high court said in an statement Thursday. Cause of death was not released.

Gordon was a Mohave County Superior Court judge when Gov. Raul Castro appointed him as a justice in 1975, the first Arizona appellate judge appointed under a new merit selection process approved by the state's voters.

Mecham's televised impeachment trial resulted in the Republican's removal from office with the state Senate approval of two articles in which the state House accused him of misuse of public money and obstruction of justice.

Gordon joined a Phoenix law firm after he retired from the bench in 1992.

Survivors include his wife of nearly 80 years, Joan, children Trey and Candy, three grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Son Scott Gordon died previously.

Memorial services will be held Monday after visitation at 3 p.m. at First United Methodist Church in Phoenix, followed by graveside services at noon Jan. 17 at Mountain View Cemetery in Kingman.