NY official picked as chief justice in Barbados

A New York court official has been chosen to be the next chief justice of the Caribbean island nation of Barbados.

Marston Gibson tells The Associated Press he has accepted the job to be the top judicial official in his native country.

Gibson currently serves as a court referee for the New York State Supreme Court in Mineola. His responsibilities are that of a judge, deciding on disputes on civil court matters.

The longtime Hempstead, resident says he will assume his new duties at the end of this month.

The Rhodes scholar says Prime Minister Freundel Stuart asked him to accept the position earlier this week.

Now 57, Gibson says he plans to remain as chief justice until his term expires when he turns 70.