Alabama chief justice denies defying US Supreme Court

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore is not backing off from his position that probate judges shouldn't issue marriage licenses to gay couples.

In an interview with The Associated Press on Thursday, Moore reiterated remarks first issued in an administrative order Wednesday: that the Alabama Supreme Court has not lifted a March 3 order against issuing licenses to gay couples.

He said it's up to the state court to decide what to do with that order following the U.S. Supreme Court's landmark marriage ruling in June that effectively legalized gay marriage nationwide.

Moore has been an outspoken critic of same-sex marriage. But he said he's not defying the Supreme Court ruling, just seeking orderly legal proceedings.

Two U.S. prosecutors in Alabama issued a statement Thursday saying that probate judges need to comply with the U.S. Supreme Court.