La. Justice Quits in Interracial Wedding Flap

A Louisiana justice of the peace who refused to marry a couple because the bride was white and groom was black resigned today, after weeks of refusing to step down despite calls for his ouster. Keith Bardwell quit with no explanation of his decision; Gov. Bobby Jindal called it "long overdue."

Bardwell, who is white, refused to marry Beth Humphrey and Terence McKay. When questioned, Bardwell acknowledged he routinely avoids marrying interracial couples because he believes children born to them end up suffering. "There is a problem with both groups accepting a child from such a marriage," Bardwell said in October. "I think those children suffer, and I won't help put them through it." (More Louisiana stories.)