Appeals court sets Dec. 6 for gay marriage hearing
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco has set Dec. 6 as the day it will hear arguments to determine the constitutionality of Proposition 8, California’s gay marriage ban. Gay marriage foes are appealing U.S. District Court Judge Vaughn Walker’s striking down of California’s Proposition 8, which limited marriage in the state to opposite sex couples. Walker ruled the voter-approved ban violated the civil rights of gay couples wishing to wed.
Lawyers: Atlanta police erased data in gay bar raid
Lawyers for the Atlanta Eagle have accused police of deliberately destroying evidence that could shed light on a Sept. 10, 2009 raid that triggered a federal lawsuit on behalf of 19 people who say they were illegally searched and detained. Attorneys said police officers erased cell phone data, including e-mails, text messages and cell phone photos, just days after U.S. District Court Judge Timothy Batten ordered that the information be turned over. City Attorney Cathy Hampton said that the city government takes the allegations seriously and will investigate.
