NORTH CAROLINA: Judge Denies GOP Attempt To Delay Ruling In Marriage Case

A federal judge tonight denied the GOP's attempt to delay a ruling in North Carolina's marriage case. Matt Comer reports at Q Notes:

On Thursday afternoon, state House Speaker Thom Tillis and Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger hired attorneys affiliated with the anti-LGBT National Organization for Marriage — the same group which funneled more than $400,000 into the 2012 anti-gay amendment campaign — to represent the state. In addition to their motion to intervene, the attorneys requested an extension of eight days to make their arguments against same-sex marriage. Late Thursday evening, U.S. District Court Judge William Osteen issued an order denying their request. “In light of the stage of this litigation, and the arguments and positions previously asserted by both parties to this case, this court does not find good cause to extend the time for filing a proposed Answer,” Osteen’s order read.

The judge gave them until noon tomorrow to file their motion to intervene. It looks like NOM chairman John Eastman won't have time to make very much money in North Carolina, even at $400/hr.

Berger spokeswoman Shelly Carver said Eastman has agreed to forgo his first $10,000 in legal fees. After that, he will be paid $400 an hour. American Civil Liberties Union of North Carolina legal director Chris Brook criticized the move as a waste of taxpayer funds. "The legislature has had more than a year to intervene in this matter if they felt their interests were not adequately represented, and failed to do so," said Brook, who represents nine same-sex couples seeking the freedom to marry and adopt children. "The result here is no longer in doubt. ... The legislature should quit playing politics by seeking to defend the indefensible." Tillis, who is running for U.S. Senate, said in a debate earlier this week he felt obligated to defend the will of North Carolina voters against "liberal activist judges" appointed by President Barack Obama.

Osteen, by the way, was appointed by George W. Bush. Snork! (Tipped by JMG reader Amber)