Texas appeals court halts ruling in gay-divorce case
A state appeals court Thursday halted divorce and child-custody proceedings for two San Antonio women who were legally married out of state.
The 4th Court of Appeals ruling came two days after state District Judge Barbara Hanson Nellermoe of San Antonio allowed the divorce case to continue because, she said in a five-page opinion, the states ban on gay marriage was unconstitutional and therefore invalid.
Attorney General Greg Abbott responding by asking the appeals court to grant an emergency stay delaying Nellermoes ruling, arguing that speedy action was needed to avoid the legal chaos that would follow if the trial courts broadly worded ruling is mistakenly interpreted as authorization for the creation or recognition of same-sex marriages in Bexar County or throughout the state.
The San Antonio appeals court agreed Thursday afternoon, staying Nellermoes ruling while it considers Abbotts request to vacate the decision as a violation of the district judges authority.
More at http://www.statesman.com/news/news/texas-appeals-court-halts-ruling-in-gay-divorce-ca/nfhC6/ .