Arkansas court: current justices should hear marriage case

Little Rock, Ark. (AP) — The Arkansas Supreme Court says its current lineup of justices should decide whether to legalize gay marriage in the state.

The court on Thursday ruled that Justice Rhonda Wood who took office in January should participate in the state's appeal of a judge's decision striking down Arkansas' ban on gay marriage. She didn't participate in oral arguments before the court last year and the court considered whether to retain a special justice appointed last year.

The court has said the dispute over who can hear the case needed to be resolved before the gay marriage case could move forward. Two members of the court, including the chief justice, have accused the majority of unnecessarily delaying the gay marriage case.

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The Gayly – May 7, 2015 @ 9:45am.