MICHIGAN: Sixth Circuit Court Denies AG's Request For En Banc Marriage Review

The Detroit Free Press reports:

The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has denied Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette’s motion to have a full bench hear his appeal in Michigan’s landmark gay marriage case. Schuette had petitioned for an “en banc” hearing — which means full bench — instead of the standard three-judge panel, but the court determined Monday evening that no judge “favored” the suggestion and denied the petition. According to court documents, Schuette filed the petition April 4 and argued that the validity of the state constitutional marriage amendments is an issue of “exceptional importance” and one that should be resolved swiftly and before a full bench.

Michigan's ban on same-sex marriage was struck down as unconstitutional last month. Shuette filed an immediate appeal, but not before more than 300 gay couples had gotten married. The state has refused to recognize those marriages, prompting a new suit from the ACLU.