Valerie Willard, a spokeswoman for the Louisiana Supreme Court, told CNN it could take up to a year to complete an investigation into Tangipahoa Parish Justice of the Peace Keith Bardwell's refusal to marry an interracial couple. Bardwell says he won't marry interracial couples, though his refusal appears to apply to black and white couples specifically, out of concern for their children; he also says in his experience, most interracial marriages don't last.
The newlyweds Bardwell refused to marry have asked that he be removed from office, and Gov. Bobby Jindal has asked that his license be revoked (though Bardwell is elected and does not have a license).
But unseating a Louisiana justice of the peace isn't easy, CNN reported.
The state's high court has jurisdiction over whether justices can keep their jobs, Willard said. The Judiciary Commission, a judicial body independent of the Supreme Court, reviews the case and makes recommendations to the high court.
After receiving a complaint, the Judiciary Commission would determine whether the grievance was frivolous. Anyone can file a complaint; no attorney is needed, Willard said, though Beth McKay said she has retained one.
The commission would proceed with an investigation if there were allegations of ethical misconduct, or arguments that the justice of the peace was in violation of professional responsibility, Willard said.
... written by Joshua Benton , October 20, 2009 - 05:27 pm
I just want to thank you for promoting the use of the word "couillon." Merci, cher.
... written by Phil , October 20, 2009 - 09:30 pm
Go get married somewhere else. It's not like he's the only person in the state empowered to perform marriages.
... written by Myric6 , October 21, 2009 - 12:59 pm
I just wonder how many interracial couples he's married where it wasn't obvious by looking at the couple... Does that mean he won't marry an asian with a negro, an indian with a caucasian or a latino? Besides, from the area of the state he's practicing in, I'm betting there's been some mixing that would surprise the heck out of him. Maybe he's a little mixed somewhere down the line and that's what makes him so afraid. I hope this idiot is forced to resign or is voted out. What an embarassment to our state, and like we didn't have enough to be embarassed about. Its just aggravating to have to witness such ignorance no matter where it occurs.
... written by Southsider , October 21, 2009 - 08:10 pm
Whats the big deal? He did what he thought was right. Get over it and get married somewhere else.
... written by Not Amused , October 22, 2009 - 12:31 am
So he's concerned that interracial marriages don't last? Doesn't he know that same-race marriages don't last, either? If suspicion that a marriage isn't "forever" is a good reason to deny marrying anyone, this fool ought to get out of the marriage business for good.
... written by NORTHSIDIAN SHOTGUN , October 25, 2009 - 07:00 pm
WHOAAAAA !!!!!!, IS BARDWELL AH REPUBLICAN ? REPUBICS ALLUS THINK, ONLY THEY KNOW WHAT IS BEST FOR ALL, ALL INCLUDES, IRAQEES, AFGHANEES, VIETNEES,AND DIFFERENT RACIAL MARRIAGES PEEPS, "DEY DON'T "GET IT", BUT IT ALL BE "COOL-AID"
You must be logged in to post a comment. Log in using your Facebook account or register if you do not have an account yet.
There will soon be a whole lot of shakin’ going on at Benny’s Sportshack Supplement Depot, a new concept by Opelousas native Benny Nele. Located at 2002 Johnston St., the supplement shop, smoothie bar and café, featuring hot off the press paninis and wraps, plans to open in late May.
Philip deMahy Sr., a once respected New Iberia ad exec, was sentenced May 2 to spend the next two years (he faced up to 100 years) in a state penitentiary after state and federal investigators found dozens of images depicting children engaged in lewd sexual acts on his personal computer.
This year’s Cool Town issue is all about people who are not native to South Louisiana but made a conscious decision to be here, to be among us, to participate in our culture and contribute to it.
A shelved ordinance transferring $200,000 from a northside drainage project to a south Lafayette development may not break any laws, but it stinks to high heaven.
An effort to restore a shuttered dancehall and document other vacant or razed honky-tonks could serve as a model for saving an endangered species of entertainment.
Lafayette’s gene pool has been host to a long line of eccentric characters who have blurred the lines between crazy, genius, disturbed and curiously entertaining.
Subscribe to this comment's feed