Deboer V. Snyder
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Equality Case FilesDeboer V. Snyder
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Equality Case FilesAppeal: 14-2241 Doc: 18 Filed: 12/01/2014 Pg: 1 of 4
NO. 14-2241
__________________
UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS
FOR THE FOURTH CIRCUIT
___________________
ANNE NICHOLS BLECKLEY; COLLEEN THERESE CONDON
Plaintiffs – Appellees,
v.
ALAN WILSON, in his official Capacity as Attorney General,
Defendant – Appellant,
and IRVIN G. CONDON in his official capacity as Probate Judge of Charleston
County,
Defendant.
___________________
ON APPEAL FROM THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF SOUTH CAROLINA
AT CHARLESTON
___________________
MOTION FOR STAY OR CONTINUANCE OF APPEAL
___________________
Appellant Attorney General Alan Wilson hereby moves for a stay or
continuance of this appeal pending a final decision by the United States Supreme
Court regarding the petitions for writ of certiorari filed in DeBoer v. Snyder, No.
14-1341, 2014 WL 5748990 (6th Cir. Nov. 6, 2014) and any petition for writ of
certiorari filed in the instant case. See, Obergefell v. Hodges, No. 14-556,
Appeal: 14-2241 Doc: 18 Filed: 12/01/2014 Pg: 2 of 4
November 14, 2014; DeBoer v. Snyder, No. 14-571, November 18, 2014; Bourke
v. Beshear, No. 14-574, November 18, 2014. Those petitions seek review of the
DeBoer opinion upholding bars on same-sex marriage in four states in the Sixth
Circuit. The Attorney General also anticipates filing a petition for writ of certiorari
as to the Order of the United States District Court of the District of South Carolina
under appeal in the instant case while this appeal is pending. See, 28 U.S.C.
§§1254 and 2101(e). Condon v. Haley, No. CIV.A. 2:14-4010-RMG, 2014 WL
5897175 (D.S.C. Nov. 12, 2014). That District Court Order found South Carolina
laws barring same-sex marriage to be unconstitutional.
Staying or continuing this appeal including briefing deadlines would serve
purposes of judicial economy. Although if not stayed, Appellant Attorney General
would anticipate moving for the appeal to be heard en banc and seeking to argue
against the precedent of Bostic v. Schaefer, 760 F.3d 352 (4th Cir. 2014) 1, a 0F
decision of the Supreme Court to grant certiorari in DeBoer or the instant case
could be dispositive of this appeal or expedite any consideration of South Carolina
law by the Court of Appeals. If the Supreme Court grants the DeBoer petitions,
that Court may reach a decision applicable nationally regarding the
constitutionality of same-sex marriage bans. Therefore, until the Supreme Court
1
Cert.
denied sub nom. Rainey v. Bostic, No. 14-153, 2014 WL 3924685 (U.S. Oct.
6, 2014) and cert. denied, No. 14-225, 2014 WL 4230092 (U.S. Oct. 6, 2014) and
cert. denied sub nom. McQuigg v. Bostic, No. 14-251, 2014 WL 4354536 (U.S.
Oct. 6, 2014)
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makes a final decision regarding the DeBoer petitions and any in the instant case,
staying or continuing this appeal while awaiting guidance from the Supreme Court
will avoid the writing and filing of briefs that may need to be rewritten or
supplemented following action by that Court. If this appeal is stayed, the Attorney
General reserves all rights to proceed with this appeal following decisions of the
Supreme Court regarding the referenced petitions for writs of certiorari.
CONCLUSION
For the foregoing reasons, the Attorney General respectfully requests that
this Court stay or continue the appeal in this case, including briefing, until such
time as the Supreme Court makes a final decision regarding the DeBoer petitions
and any petition in the instant case.
Respectfully submitted,
ALAN WILSON
Attorney General
ROBERT D. COOK
Solicitor General
Email: [email protected]
/s/ J. Emory Smith, Jr.
JAMES EMORY SMITH, JR.
Deputy Solicitor General
Email: [email protected]
IAN P. WESCHLER
Assistant Attorney General
[Signature block continues next page]
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Appeal: 14-2241 Doc: 18 Filed: 12/01/2014 Pg: 4 of 4
BRENDAN J. MCDONALD
Assistant Attorney General
Office of the Attorney General
Post Office Box 11549
Columbia, South Carolina 29211
Phone: (803) 734-3680
Fax: (803) 734-3677
Counsel for Defendant-Appellant
December 1, 2014 Attorney General
Pursuant to Fourth Circuit Rule 27(a), Counsel for has emailed other counsel
in this case about the intent to file this Motion. Counsel for Plaintiffs-Appellees
and, to the extent necessary, counsel for Judge Condon do not object to a stay of
this appeal. The Governor has been dismissed as a party to this case.
/s/ J. Emory Smith, Jr.
J. EMORY SMITH, JR.
December 1, 2014 Deputy Solicitor General
