January 20, 1999

National Notes
___ Bible-quoting judge erred. The U.S. Supreme Court declined Jan. 11 to disturb a lower court's decision freeing a convicted sex offender because the trial judge quoted Bible verses before pronouncing his sentence. Arron Pattno was sentenced to 20 months to five years in prison after being convicted of sexual assault for having sexual contact with a 13-year-old boy. Before pronouncing the sentence, the judge read Bible verses denouncing homosexuality. The Nebraska Supreme Court said a reasonable person "could have questioned the judge's impartiality" after hearing him cite Scripture.

___ Court won't review policy. The U.S. Supreme Court refused Jan. 11 to review lower court decisions upholding the "don't ask, don't tell" policy governing homosexuals in the military. The policy was challenged in separate actions by officers in the U.S. Navy and the Army National Guard who were discharged.

___ Court rejects ad dispute. The U.S. Supreme Court refused Jan. 11 to hear claims by Philadelphia-area transit officials that their removal of station advertisements linking abortion and breast cancer did not violate the Constitution. The high court left intact a ruling by the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority violated the guarantee of freedom of speech by removing the posters of Christ's Bride Ministries, a non-profit organization based in Merrifield, Va.

---

Frontpage / Contents/ Masthead / Why We're Here / Links / Archive / E-mail us/ SUBSCRIBE!