Alabama’s chief justice defends his marriage memo

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Alabama’s suspended Chief Justice Roy Moore is defending his January memo to probate judges regarding same-sex marriage.

The state’s Judicial Inquiry Commission has accused Moore of disrespecting the judiciary by telling judges the state’s injunction against gay marriage remained in effect despite the Supreme Court’s ruling that gays and lesbians have a fundamental right to marry.

Moore responded in an affidavit Tuesday that he was only answering questions from judges at a time when his fellow justices weren’t addressing the impact of federal rulings on the state’s injunction.

Moore’s attorney Mat Staver calls the commission’s accusations “slanderous” and says Moore never told probate judges what to do.

The commission wants Moore removed from office.