A judge on New York State's highest court has died. Court officials announced Associate Judge Theodore Jones had a heart attack overnight and died. He was 68. Jones was the court's only black member. Nick Reisman has more.

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NEW YORK STATE -- A judge on the state's highest court has died.

Court officials announced Associate Judge Theodore Jones had a heart attack overnight and died. He was 68.

Jones was the court's only black member.

Jones was appointed five years ago by then governor Eliot Spitzer. His death is the first of a sitting jurist since the appointments process took effect in 1977. It creates the first vacancy for Governor Andrew Cuomo since he took office in 2011.

The Governor released a statement which reads in part, “Judge Jones was a tireless advocate for equal justice and inspired many through his public service and work outside the judiciary. His contributions to New York's highest court will be sorely missed. We join his family and friends in mourning his loss.”