Ark. Governor Names Shawn Womack for Gay Marriage Case

Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson has selected a former Supreme Court justice, a circuit judge and a Searcy attorney to help decide a case related to the challenge over the state's gay marriage ban.

Hutchinson on Tuesday named former Justice Betty Dickey, Circuit Judge Shawn Womack of Mountain Home and attorney Brett Watson as special justices to a case that centers on which justices can participate in the gay marriage appeal. The court has said a dispute over whether a newly elected justice or a special justice appointed last year can participate must be resolved before the gay marriage case can proceed.

A Pulaski County judge last year struck down the state's gay marriage ban, and more than 500 same-sex couples were issued marriage licenses before the Supreme Court suspended his ruling.

This story is part of our special report: "Gay Marriage". Want to read more? Here's the full list.