LOUISVILLE, Ky., Sept. 3 (UPI) — A judge found a Kentucky county clerk in contempt of court and sentenced her to jail time Thursday after she repeatedly defied judicial orders to issue same-sex marriage licenses.
U.S. District Judge David Bunning sentenced Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis to jail until she complies with his order to issue the licenses. Davis was escorted out of the courtroom and remanded into the custody of a federal marshal.
Bunning also told five deputy clerks who work with Davis they have until 1:45 p.m. to decide whether they will comply with his order or join Davis in jail.
Bunning told Davis as a Catholic he has his own views, but public officials must respect the law.
“In this country, we live in a society of laws,” he said.
Davis has refused to issue marriage licenses to anyone, gay or straight, since the historic U.S. Supreme Court decision in June that cleared the way for same-sex couples to marry nationwide. Several judges have ordered her to resume her duties as county clerk, including the U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday, but she has repeatedly refused, citing her religious views.
The Liberty Counsel, which is representing Davis, argued in a court filing Wednesday she should not be found in contempt because lesser measures could achieve the same goal.
“To issue a marriage license which conflicts with God’s definition of marriage, with my name affixed to the certificate, would violate my conscience. It is not a light issue for me. It is a heaven or hell decision,” she said in a written statement earlier this week. “For me it is a decision of obedience. I have no animosity toward anyone and harbor no ill will. To me this has never been a gay or lesbian issue. It is about marriage and God’s word.”
More than 100 protesters on both sides of the issue gathered outside the federal courthouse as Davis went before the judge Thursday.
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