MOREHEAD, Ky. (AP) — Two gay couples have asked a federal judge to punish a Kentucky clerk who has refused to issue them marriage licenses by fining her, but not sending her to jail.
Lawyers for the couples filed the motion to hold Rowan County clerk Kim Davis in contempt of court on Tuesday morning, shortly after her office refused again to issue the licenses — this time despite a U.S. Supreme Court ruling against her.
Davis says her office is doing so “under God’s authority.”
The latest motion in the case asks U.S. District Judge David Bunning to hold Davis in contempt. Bunning will probably hold a hearing for the gay couples to present evidence, which could include testimony from Davis herself. Bunning would then decide on punishment. That could include fines, jail time or both, but the motion asks the judge to impose only financial penalties.
WATCH: Davis refuses to issue a marriage license “under God’s authority” (via Kentucky.com)
Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Bunning now risks looking weak if he doesn’t ask her to follow court orders. His orders. That might actually motivate him to do the right thing.
We’ll see.
Her “God” has no authority in a secular federal or state job. How do you suppose this Christian woman would react if a Muslim Clerk tried to use their religion to deny her the Constitutional rights to which she is entitled? A secular state or federal job does not recognize or care about your personal religious affiliation. If you work in a secular job your religion does not give you the right to discriminate against anyone.
Because she has shown such contempt to lawful rulings, she should be shown NO mercy. I’d go the fine and jail route running together until she relents. BTW what is GAWD’s Authority?
Smart not to go for jail. That would likely turn this douchebaguette (deuce-baguette?) into a martyr. It’s a lot harder to rally around a fine than a jail cell.