WEST VIRGINIA: Federal Judge Lifts Marriage Stay But Issues No Final Ruling

Via the Huntington Herald-Dispatch:

U.S. District Judge Robert C. Chambers his lifted his stay, clearing the way for arguments and proceedings to resume in a federal lawsuit targeting West Virginia’s ban on same-sex marriage. The order delivers a partial victory three, same-sex couples who urged Chambers to lift the stay Monday in light of a Supreme Court decision rendering such marriage bans unconstitutional. But Chambers’ early afternoon order does not rule in the plaintiff’s favor as to the final outcome. Instead, the judge noted the couples’ arguments and asked attorneys for West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey, Cabell County Clerk Karen Cole and her counterpart in Kanawha County to file a response within 14 days. It then provides a brief time for the couples’ attorney to file a final response before oral arguments ensue, if needed. That all could set up a final decision within weeks.

Fairness West Virginia is demanding that the judge make an immediate final ruling.