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Kentucky clerk jailed for defying court orders on gay marriage | Kentucky clerk jailed for defying court orders on gay marriage |
(about 5 hours later) | |
A US judge has ordered a Kentucky official jailed for contempt of court after she has repeatedly refused to issue marriage licences to gay couples. | A US judge has ordered a Kentucky official jailed for contempt of court after she has repeatedly refused to issue marriage licences to gay couples. |
Kim Davis has said that her Christian faith should exempt her from signing the licenses. | Kim Davis has said that her Christian faith should exempt her from signing the licenses. |
The US Supreme Court declared gay marriage legal in June. | The US Supreme Court declared gay marriage legal in June. |
After interviewing her fellow clerks, the judge said Ms Davis could go free if she allowed her deputies to grant the licences, but Davis refused. | After interviewing her fellow clerks, the judge said Ms Davis could go free if she allowed her deputies to grant the licences, but Davis refused. |
Ms Davis, an elected official in Rowan County, has said the Supreme Court's ruling conflicts with her beliefs as a born-again Christian. | Ms Davis, an elected official in Rowan County, has said the Supreme Court's ruling conflicts with her beliefs as a born-again Christian. |
"You can't be separated from something that's in your heart in your soul," Ms Davis said. "I promised to love Him with all my heart, mind and soul because I wanted to make heaven my home." | "You can't be separated from something that's in your heart in your soul," Ms Davis said. "I promised to love Him with all my heart, mind and soul because I wanted to make heaven my home." |
US District Judge David Bunning said he had "no alternative" but to jail her, because issuing fines would not change her mind. | US District Judge David Bunning said he had "no alternative" but to jail her, because issuing fines would not change her mind. |
"Her good faith belief is simply not a viable defence," said Mr Bunning. "Mrs Davis took an oath. Oaths mean things." | "Her good faith belief is simply not a viable defence," said Mr Bunning. "Mrs Davis took an oath. Oaths mean things." |
He added that letting one person's beliefs supersede the authority of the court would be a dangerous example to set. | He added that letting one person's beliefs supersede the authority of the court would be a dangerous example to set. |
Ms Davis' lawyer, Mat Staver, said: "The judge said that he's going to bring her back out in another week and see if she's changed her mind. But knowing Kim Davis, she's a woman of strong conviction and conscience and I don't see her changing her mind." | |
Ms Davis' lawyer had claimed that her deputy clerks could only issues licenses under Davis' authority, but the judge overruled that objection. | Ms Davis' lawyer had claimed that her deputy clerks could only issues licenses under Davis' authority, but the judge overruled that objection. |
Five deputy clerks told the judge on Thursday they would comply with the court order. A sixth deputy clerk, Ms Davis' son, Nathan, refused. | Five deputy clerks told the judge on Thursday they would comply with the court order. A sixth deputy clerk, Ms Davis' son, Nathan, refused. |
The judge decided not to hold Nathan Davis in contempt of court. | The judge decided not to hold Nathan Davis in contempt of court. |
Hundreds of protesters lined up outside of the federal courthouse on Thursday, chanting and waving signs both of support and opposition. | Hundreds of protesters lined up outside of the federal courthouse on Thursday, chanting and waving signs both of support and opposition. |
Local reporters tweeted photos of the two different camps in close quarters outside of the courthouse. | Local reporters tweeted photos of the two different camps in close quarters outside of the courthouse. |
Protesters screamed "Love won! Love won!" outside of the courthouse after learning of the decision. | Protesters screamed "Love won! Love won!" outside of the courthouse after learning of the decision. |
Ms Davis stopped issuing marriage licenses to all couples in June after the legalisation of gay marriage, turning couples away repeatedly. | Ms Davis stopped issuing marriage licenses to all couples in June after the legalisation of gay marriage, turning couples away repeatedly. |
The US Supreme Court on Monday rejected the argument that her faith prevented her from carrying out her duty. | The US Supreme Court on Monday rejected the argument that her faith prevented her from carrying out her duty. |
"I have no animosity toward anyone and harbour no ill will. To me this has never been a gay or lesbian issue. It is about marriage and God's word," she said in a statement. | "I have no animosity toward anyone and harbour no ill will. To me this has never been a gay or lesbian issue. It is about marriage and God's word," she said in a statement. |
She can only be removed from her position if the Kentucky legislature impeaches her because she is an elected official. | She can only be removed from her position if the Kentucky legislature impeaches her because she is an elected official. |
Various 2016 Republican presidential candidates, like Mike Huckabee, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, Senator Ted Cruz and Senator Marco Rubio, have come out in support of Ms Davis' decisions. | Various 2016 Republican presidential candidates, like Mike Huckabee, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, Senator Ted Cruz and Senator Marco Rubio, have come out in support of Ms Davis' decisions. |
Others like Carly Fiorina, Senator Lindsey Graham and Ohio Governor John Kasich have said she must do her job and comply with the law. | Others like Carly Fiorina, Senator Lindsey Graham and Ohio Governor John Kasich have said she must do her job and comply with the law. |