The judge in the (ACLU) marriage equality lawsuit out of Pennsylvania had scheduled a trial on June 5, 2014. However, both the state and the ACLU have indicated that a trial is not needed as there are no disputed facts. Therefore, the ACLU has filed for summary judgment in the case, and a decision may be handed down much sooner than expected. All briefs will have been filed by May 12, so presumably a ruling could be handed down anytime after that. The case is Whitewood v Wolf.
The ACLU explains:
A trial became unnecessary after the commonwealth stated that it will not call any experts to counter the plaintiffs’ argument that there is no rational reason why lesbian and gay couples are excluded from marriage, nor does it plan to dispute the specific harms caused to the plaintiffs by the marriage ban. All legal papers in the case will be filed by May 12, meaning a ruling could come at any time after that date.
“We are pleased that this case will be moving forward quickly. Our clients have waited long enough for the state to recognize the love and commitment that these couples have for each other,” said John S. Stapleton, of Hangley Aronchick Segal Pudlin & Schiller [private firm serving as co-counsel to the ACLU].
Some of you may remember that in December the outside council hired by Governor Tom Corbett demanded to know the
sexual histories of all the plaintiffs in this case. Well, nevertheless it appears that this case is being expedited more quickly than originally anticipated.
Along with the motion, today’s filing included written testimony from six experts, including a report on the legal disadvantages that same-sex couples face in estate planning, taxes, health care, and family law in Pennsylvania because they cannot marry or have their marriages from other states respected by Pennsylvania. The motion also includes another expert report about the economic harms to the state’s economy and businesses caused by the commonwealth’s failure to allow same-sex couples to marry or to recognize their marriages from other states.
via
Joe.My.God