Judge Taking Another Week on Ark. Gay Marriage Ruling

An Arkansas judge is taking another week before issuing a ruling in a lawsuit challenging the state's gay marriage ban.

A clerk for Pulaski County Circuit Judge Chris Piazza told attorneys in a letter Thursday that the judge expected to issue a ruling by May 9 in the lawsuit seeking to overturn a state constitutional amendment defining marriage as between a man and a woman.

Piazza said at a hearing April 17 that he expected to issue a ruling within two weeks.

A group of same-sex couples are suing the state over the amendment, which was approved by voters in 2004. Lawyers for the couples say the amendment is itself unconstitutional and violates the couples' rights.