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Kim Davis, clerk jailed over same-sex marriage licences, returning to work

Lawyers for Kentucky clerk Kim Davis have announced she will stay home from work until Monday, leaving unanswered whether she'll comply with a court order to issue marriage licences to same-sex couples.

Kim Davis announces she will return to Rowan County, Ky., office on Monday

The Associated Press ·
Rowan County clerk Kim Davis was greeted by thousands of supporters, including Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee, at a rally outside the Carter County Detention Center following her release on Tuesday. She has said she will return to work on Monday. (The Associated Press)

Lawyers for Kentucky clerk Kim Davis announced Wednesday she will stay home from work until Monday, leaving unanswered whether she'll comply with a court order to issue marriage licences to same-sex couples.

Davis's attorneys with the Christian law firm Liberty Counsel released a statement saying that she will spend the next several days resting with family and combing through the hundreds of letters she received during her five-day stint in jail.

Davis was held in contempt and jailed last Thursday for defying a series of court orders and continuing to refuse to issue same-sex marriage licences in Rowan County, Ky. She argued that as an Apostolic Christian, she believed same-sex marriage was a sin and wouldn't violate her conscience by signing her name on the licences. 

In Davis's absence, a deputy clerk began issuing the licences. The judge released Davis on Tuesday, with strict orders that she not intervene in the process when she goes back to work.  

Her lawyers would not say whether she intends to comply, but deputy county clerk Brian Mason said Wednesday he would follow the judge's order and continue to issue the licences, even if Davis told him not to.  

RAW: Kentucky county clerk released from jail

9 years ago
Duration 1:29
Kim Davis set free; was jailed for not issuing same-sex marriage licences

As an elected official, Davis will be paid for the days she spent in jail and the time she's spending at home. Rowan County Attorney Cecil Watkins said paid time off is left to the official's discretion, and "voters will vote you out if you take too much."

Davis draws a salary of $80,000 US per year. 

Residents of the eastern Kentucky town said they are eager for things to return to normal after protesters and news media descended on the community. 

Local pastor Randy Smith said he worries the situation will embolden activists on both sides, but hopes they can live together in peace.

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