Federal judge hearing Calif gay marriage ban case nixes having cameras cover closing arguments

Cameras nixed at closing of gay marriage trial

SAN FRANCISCO — A federal judge overseeing a lawsuit challenging California’s same-sex marriage ban has denied a request for closing arguments to be broadcast on television or the Internet.

Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker issued a notice Tuesday stating the final arguments scheduled for June 16 will not be transmitted beyond the San Francisco courthouse where he is hearing the case.

Earlier this month, The Associated Press and other media organizations renewed a request for cameras to be allowed to cover the end of the high-profile trial.

In January, Walker authorized real-time streaming of the proceedings for viewing in other federal courthouses and a delayed transmission on YouTube. But the U.S. Supreme Court blocked the broadcasts at the request of Proposition 8 sponsors.