Testimony ends in gay marriage trial in San Francisco; closing arguments likely next month

Defense lawyers rest case at gay marriage trial

SAN FRANCISCO — Testimony has ended in a federal case challenging California’s ban on same-sex marriage.

Lawyers for the sponsors of Proposition 8 tentatively rested their case Wednesday after introducing materials from the 2008 election campaign.

The trial is exploring whether states that deny gays and lesbians the right to wed are violating the U.S. Constitution.

Defense lawyers asked Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn R. Walker to reserve their option to present more documents based on subpoenas they have issued to gay rights groups that opposed the measure.

The defense called just two expert witnesses. More than a dozen witnesses appeared for the plaintiffs.

Walker has said he wants to take several weeks to review all the evidence before hearing closing arguments, probably sometime in March.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The first trial to explore whether the U.S. Constitution guarantees gay Americans the right to get married is moving to a close.

The founder of a family values think tank testified Wednesday that the rights of same-sex couples come second to the needs of a cherished social institution.

David Blankenhorn, president of the New York-based Institute for American Values, said that while there are many valid reasons for allowing gays to wed, they are outweighed by the likely damage it would cause the already weakened state of heterosexual unions.

The trial is in its 12th day and the evidence phase is expected to end Wednesday.

Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn R. Walker says he wants to review all the evidence before hearing closing arguments in several weeks.