LITTLE ROCK — A panel of three federal judges has wrapped up a trial over claims that the state Board of Apportionment intentionally diluted the black vote in an east Arkansas Senate district.

The judges concluded the four-day trial in Helena-West Helena on Thursday without issuing a ruling in the lawsuit by state Sen. Jack Crumbly and a group of residents in his district. Crumbly, who is black, claims the panel intentionally decreased the black voting age population in his Senate district.

Crumbly, a Democrat, has asked the court to halt the primary for his seat and order the board to redraw the district. Crumbly faces state Rep. Keith Ingram in the May 22 primary.

The board is comprised of Gov. Mike Beebe, Attorney General Dustin McDaniel and Secretary of State Mark Martin.

Read tomorrow's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.

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