NEW ORLEANS (AP) – The Louisiana Supreme Court is giving its justices an extra month to weigh in on a debate over naming the court’s next chief justice.
Chief Justice Catherine “Kitty” Kimball had set a July 31 deadline for the justices to file briefs on which colleague is the “oldest in point of service” under terms of the state constitution. Kimball amended her order on Friday to move the deadline to Aug. 31.
Justice Bernette Johnson sued earlier this month in federal court to block her colleagues from debating whether she is entitled to succeed Kimball when she retires next year. Justice Jeffrey Victory also stakes a claim to being the court’s longest-serving justice.
The month-long delay gives U.S. District Judge Susie Morgan more time to hear arguments and rule in Johnson’s case. On Monday, Morgan scheduled an Aug. 16 hearing for the justice’s suit.
 
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