Kim Davis appeal rejected by 6th Circuit
Attempt to reverse four decisions against the Rowan County clerk fails
The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Thursday rejected an appeal by Kentucky Clerk Kim Davis seeking to reverse four of the decisions that were unfavorable to her, according to the Associated Press.
Earlier this week, Davis’ attorneys with the right-wing legal organization Liberty Counsel had filed a brief with the federal appeals court asking them to reverse four separate rulings by U.S. District Judge David Bunning, including an order to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, and another that found her in contempt of court, resulting in her imprisonment in jail for five days in September.
Davis’ lawyers argued that Bunning’s decisions constituted a “rush to judgment” that did not take into account Davis’ religious freedom.
Davis has also filed a countersuit against Gov. Steve Beshear (D) for issuing an order to all county clerks to begin issuing same-sex marriage licenses regardless of their personal beliefs, and for refusing to call a special session of the legislature to pass legislation that would provide special exemptions or religious accommodations for county clerks.
Meanwhile, Davis is likely to appeal her case. And she has another legal matter pending in court related to her alteration of licenses after her release from jail. While state officials have said the altered licenses — which do not bear her name or the name of the county, and say they are issued pursuant to a federal court order — are valid, the ACLU has questioned the state’s interpretation. As a result, there are likely more court hearings in Davis’ future as lawyers for the county clerk and the ACLU battle over whether Davis’ actions constitute a violation of the previous court order against her.
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