Court refuses to step into lesbian custody dispute
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court has declined to step into a lesbian custody dispute between a woman who has renounced her homosexuality and her onetime partner.
The justices on Monday turned down an appeal from Lisa Miller, the biological mother of an 8-year-old girl. Miller wanted the court to undo a Virginia court decision allowing Janet Jenkins visitation rights with the girl.
Jenkins and Miller were joined in a civil union in Vermont in 2000. Miller has renounced her homosexuality. She and her daughter did not appear for a court-ordered custody swap in January. Their whereabouts are unknown.
The case is Miller v. Jenkins, 10-177.
High court turns down early health care challenge
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court has turned down the first preliminary challenge to President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul.
The decision Monday to reject an appeal from a former Republican state lawmaker in California was no surprise because a federal appeals court has yet to consider the case. The high court rarely reviews cases before the issues have been aired in lower courts.
The case is Baldwin v. Sebelius, 10-369.
Court won’t stop new sentencing hearing for man
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court won’t stop a new sentencing hearing for a man sentenced to death for the shotgun slaying of a Yuma, Ariz. woman.
Sterleen Hill was killed when two men claiming to be narcotics officers burst into her Yuma home, tied her up and shot her in the back
Fred Lawrence Robinson was accused of masterminding the plan.
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned Robinson’s death sentence. Judges said he did not have an effective lawyer and that the courts arbitrarily said the crime was committed in a “cruel, heinous or depraved manner.”
The case is Ryan v. Robinson, 10-34.
