Appellate court ruling in Virginia gay marriage case seen as imminent

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Appellate court ruling in Virginia gay marriage case seen as imminent

4th Circuit may study major Utah decision by other appeals court

Posted: Tuesday, July 8, 2014 12:00 am
BY MARKUS SCHMIDT Richmond Times-Dispatch

Almost two months after an appeals court in Richmond heard arguments in a federal case aimed at overturning Virginia’s same-sex marriage ban, a ruling is imminent, legal experts say.

But the fact that the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has not yet weighed in may indicate the presence of opposing views on the three-judge panel and that the judges are likely reviewing recent decisions by other courts in marriage cases across the country.

“The judges are probably writing multiple opinions based on the questioning at argument, which suggested that they might not agree on the appropriate resolution,” said Carl Tobias, a constitutional law professor at the University of Richmond School of Law.

Tobias said the judges in Richmond are likely considering opinions from the major ruling by the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals from June 25, affirming a Utah district judge’s invalidation of that state’s same-sex marriage ban on a 2-1 vote.
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[shenmue]

1. Yay!