Protester who disrupted marriage case takes plea deal

By Jessica Gresko
Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) - A protester who disrupted historic arguments at the Supreme Court over gay marriage earlier this year has agreed to plead guilty in the case, and prosecutors will ask that he spend a month in jail.

Rives Miller Grogan of Mansfield, Texas, pleaded guilty last Friday in federal court in Washington. Grogan was arrested on April 28 after he yelled in the courtroom that the Bible says gay marriage supporters "could burn in hell for eternity."

The offense Grogan pleaded guilty to carries the potential penalty of up to a year in jail, but prosecutors said in a court document that they would ask for 30 days.

In June, the Supreme Court announced the outcome of the case Grogan disrupted, ruling 5-4 that same-sex couples have a right to marry nationwide.

Published: Wed, Sep 30, 2015