Souter Attacked in Washington

Supreme Court Justice David H. Souter was assaulted while jogging alone and was released from a hospital early Saturday after being treated for what a spokeswoman called minor injuries.

Several young men assaulted Souter after 9 p.m. on Friday on a city street, court spokeswoman Kathy Arberg said. She said Souter was not robbed.

Supreme Court police took him to Washington Hospital Center. Souter was examined and released about 1:30 a.m. on Saturday.

“He sustained some minor injuries but otherwise is feeling fine,” Arberg said, declining to give further details.

The Washington Post reported that police didn’t believe that the attackers knew who Souter was at the time of the attack, which occurred near Fourth and N streets in southwest Washington. One assailant apparently punched Souter.

The Washington Post reported that Souter apparently went home after the assault and contacted Supreme Court police, who took him to the hospital. Because of concerns that others in the area might be at risk, he reportedly asked that the incident be reported to District police.

Souter is known as a devoted runner who jogs several miles nearly every evening, and who hikes in the summer in his native New Hampshire.

Souter, 64, was named to the Supreme Court in 1990 by President George H.W. Bush. He is the second-youngest member of the court.