The state Supreme Court has relieved Massey Energy Co. of paying at least $76.3 million in a coal contract dispute.

Today's 3-2 vote represents the second time the court has voted on the case. The court issued a similar ruling in November.

The case took on national interest as photographs showing Chief Justice Elliott "Spike'' Maynard and Massey chief Don Blankenship vacationing in Monaco in 2006 became public in an attempt to remove Maynard from the case.

Maynard later agreed to step down, as did Justice Larry Starcher.

The ruling stems from Harman Mining Co.'s 2001 lawsuit against Massey. The vacation photographs were introduced by Harman's lawyers in their request for a rehearing of November's decision.

Today's 3-2 vote represents the second time the court has voted on the case. The court issued a similar ruling in November.

The case took on national interest as photographs showing Chief Justice Elliott "Spike'' Maynard and Massey chief Don Blankenship vacationing in Monaco in 2006 became public in an attempt to remove Maynard from the case.

Maynard later agreed to step down, as did Justice Larry Starcher.

The ruling stems from Harman Mining Co.'s 2001 lawsuit against Massey. The vacation photographs were introduced by Harman's lawyers in their request for a rehearing of November's decision.