The top legal authority in Alabama could be removed from the bench--again--over a letter that apparently advises probate judges to ignore last year's same-sex marriage ruling.
Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore appeared Wednesday before the Court of the Judiciary to determine whether or not he should be sanctioned--or even removed--after a Jan. 6 administrative order on same-sex marriages in the state.
Prosecutors for the Judicial Inquiry Commission argued that Moore encouraged probate judges to go against the ruling based on his personal opposition to same-sex marriage. Moore, who was the only witness to testify during the four-hour hearing, said that he would never violate a federal court order.
Moore was removed from office in 2003 after he refused to remove a statue of the Ten Commandments from the Alabama Judicial Building--following a federal court order telling him to do so.
\u201cJust guessing, but I'd say Roy is sure to be sanctioned. Still skeptical that all 9 will agree to ouster, but it could happen. #RoyMoore\u201d— John Archibald (@John Archibald) 1475090598
"We are here 13 years later because the chief justice learned nothing," said John Carroll, lead prosecutor for the JIC.
Moore's opposition to same-sex marriage is well documented, and in a letter to Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley called federal same-sex marriage rulings "judicial tyranny."
The court will rule in about 10 days.
