8th Circuit Defers Arguments on Marriage Cases from SD, AR, MO, and NE Pending SCOTUS Decision

The 8th Circuit Court of Appeals says it is deferring arguments on four same-sex marriage cases until SCOTUS rules, KDLT reports:

The court announced Wednesday that it's holding off on "any further consideration" of the cases from South Dakota, Arkansas, Missouri and Nebraska. Arguments were scheduled to begin on May 12 in Omaha, Nebraska.

Employment and Civil Rights Attorney Joshua Newville, who is representing clients from South Dakota is pissed that the court held off this decision for so long.

Wrote Newville in a press release:

We have just been informed that the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals is canceling the marriage equality arguments scheduled for May 12 in light of yesterday's arguments at the Supreme Court. Given that the 8th Circuit knew all along that the Supreme Court arguments were scheduled for yesterday, we're not certain why the Court has proceeded in the manner that it has. Many of my clients, as well as their family, friends, and supporters, spent money on hotels, flights, etc. I also put many hours into preparing for the argument after the Court denied multiple motions to stay the proceedings pending the Supreme Court arguments.

Newville adds:

This process has been a painful one for my clients, and the Court's action today adds to the roller-coaster they've been forced to endure. Despite a South Dakota district court victory nearly five months ago, families across the state still suffer daily harm and humiliation as they are denied basic equal rights and dignity. Despite winning their case and showing that they were deprived a basic fundamental right, they've had that victory put on hold — the courts effectively telling them that their rights take a back seat to a very lengthy and convoluted appeals process.

When the Supreme Court denied Alabama's request to stay the district court judgment pending appeal, it did so after it granted review to the 6th Circuit cases heard yesterday. In doing so, the Supreme Court made clear that same-sex couples and their children should not have to wait another day to be treated with basic dignity and respect. Thus, while I am optimistic about the outcome of yesterday's arguments at the Supreme Court, I am beyond troubled by the fact that loving and committed couples in South Dakota and North Dakota are denied equality while similarly situated couples in states like Florida and Alabama have marriage equality pending appeals in those states.

Similarly, my clients in North Dakota had their case fully briefed and presented to the district court there in early September 2014. For over four months, that court did nothing with the case. Then, in January, the Supreme Court granted review in the 6th Circuit cases and the district court in North Dakota put the case on hold.