By Alabama Public Radio
Montgomery, AL – Ousted Chief Justice Roy Moore asked Alabama's Supreme Court today to return him to office, saying his expulsion sets a dangerous precedent and forces judges to deny their oath of office and religious faith.
Moore argues in legal briefs that he was removed from office because he failed a religious test in which he had to choose between his job and his allegiance to God.
The former chief justice is appealing the November 13th decision of the Alabama Court of the Judiciary to remove him for refusing a federal court order to move a Ten Commandments monument from the rotunda of the Alabama Judicial Building.
Moore's appeal will be decided by seven retired judges who were chosen at random to form a stand-in Supreme Court after the elected justices disqualified themselves from hearing the former chief justice's case.
Attorney General Bill Pryor, who prosecuted Moore, has 20 days to file a response to Moore's brief.
Suzanne Webb, a spokesman for Pryor, said he needs to study the papers before making any comment.
While Moore's brief is going to the replacement court for now, his attorneys have filed a motion objecting to the manner in which the replacement justices were chosen.