Supreme Court decides to censure but not remove judge

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — The Wyoming Supreme Court has decided to censure but not remove a Pinedale judge who says her religious beliefs prevent her from presiding over same-sex marriages.

The court split 3-2 on its decision Tuesday in the case of Judge Ruth Neely. The majority says Neely violated judicial conduct code but her misconduct doesn't warrant removing her from the bench.

The dissenting judges argued that Neely didn't violate any judicial conduct code.

Neely, who is not a lawyer, is a municipal judge in Pinedale and a part-time circuit court magistrate in Sublette County.

The Wyoming Commission on Judicial Conduct and Ethics had recommended that Neely be removed from her positions for violating state code of judicial conduct.

Neely had argued that removing her would violate her constitutional rights.

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By Bob Moen. Copyright Associated Press - The Gayly 3/7/2017 @ 1:37 p.m. CST