The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday kept the political world in suspense, as justices once again made no announcement concerning California's Proposition 8 and challenges to the federal Defense of Marriage Act.
The justices had met in private Friday to consider which petitions they would grant for a full hearing next year. High on the stack is the appeal by conservatives of a 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals decision striking down Proposition 8. The ballot measure outlawed same-sex marriage after thousands had already been granted.
Among court watchers, the case is generally considered less likely to be granted a full hearing than are the multiple Defense of Marriage Act cases. But in the court's orders issued promptly at 9:30 a.m. Eastern time, the gay marriage cases were noticeably absent.
The court meets in private again this Friday. At least four justices must agree to hear a case before it is taken up for a full hearing.
Michael Doyle, McClatchy Newspapers
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