UPDATED: Judge Jails Kim Davis For Contempt Of Court

A federal judge has decided the fate of Rowan County clerk Kim Davis after she has repeatedly refused to obey several court rulings requiring her to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

U.S. District Judge David Bunning this morning heard from Kim Davis, her deputy clerks, and several Rowan county judges, all of whom have refused to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples ever since the Supreme Court ruled in June the same-sex couples have the right to marry.

Judge Bunning found Davis in contempt of court and ordered Davis to jail. U.S. Marshals reportedly have her in custody.

Attorneys for Davis argued she is protected by the First Amendment from issuing licenses to same-sex couples, because doing so would “irreparably” harm her conscience. 

Davis has turned away countless same-sex and different-sex couples, including the four couples who brought a lawsuit against her back in July. Last month, Judge Bunning ruled on that case, ordering Davis to begin issuing marriage licenses. Her attorneys from the anti-gay hate group Liberty Counsel have filed several appeals and emergency motions, but have been denied at every turn. Even the 6th Circuit and U.S. Supreme Court have handed down decisions indicating a lack of support for Davis’ claim that the First Amendment protects her.

Local reporters noted a heavy police presence inside and outside the court house, and even Homeland Security was present.

Outside the court house, hundreds of supporters of Davis, along with preachers, braved the 90 degree heat and could be heard loudly chanting, nonstop, “God is great!” 

They also paraded about many anti-gay signs and called marriage equality supporters ugly names, like “homo terrorist,” and accusing same-sex marriage supporters of being “rapists.” Some brought bullhorns and used them to preach, “homo love is hate,” and “repent!”

Overhead, a plane trailing a sign of support for Davis could be seen:

Meanwhile, a smaller group of same-sex marriage supporters could be heard chanting, “Hey hey, ho ho, Kim Davis has got to go!,” “No hate!,” and “Do your job!,” a sentiment the majority of the nation seems to support. 

UPDATE I: 1:15 PM EDT —
Judge Bunning reportedly said fines would be insufficient to motivate Davis to take action, as they could be paid by her supporters. He said she is to remain in federal custody until she agrees to issue marriage licenses, or orders her deputy clerks to issue marriage licenses, without regard to gender.

The news came at about 1:04 PM, two hours after the hearing began. At that moment, marriage equality supporters could be heard cheering.

UPDATE II: 1:24 PM EDT —

Will Davis’ deputies join her in jail? 

UPDATE III: 1:35 PM EDT —

Via the AP:
“The judge gave the deputy clerks time to go meet with public defenders and said the hearing will resume at 1:45 p.m.”

FINAL UPDATES —

BREAKING: Five Rowan County Deputies Tell Judge They Will Issue Marriage Licenses

BREAKING: Marriage Licenses To Be Issued In Rowan County Kentucky Tomorrow

‘Criminalization Of Christianity’: Religious Right Goes Ballistic Over Jailing Of Kim Davis

The Kim Davis Case Is About Disobeying The Rule Of Law, Not About Religious Liberty

 

This is a breaking news and developing story and has been updated.
 

Image by Mark Barber via Twitter