Federal judge hearing Calif. gay marriage case mulls letting cameras cover closing arguments
By APThursday, May 27, 2010
Judge mulls allowing cameras at gay marriage trial
SAN FRANCISCO — A federal judge overseeing a lawsuit challenging California’s same-sex marriage ban is considering whether to allow closing arguments to be broadcast on television or the Internet.
Chief U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker issued a notice Tuesday stating he would hear final arguments on June 16.
Walker heard more than two weeks of testimony in January but delayed closing arguments to allow lawyers to submit more evidence.
The Associated Press and other media organizations have requested that cameras be permitted in court for closing arguments.
Walker in January 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.
(This version CORRECTS Corrects to say judge has NOT ruled on media coalition request.)
