Monday, March 24, 2008

Judge who overturned TN sodomy law retiring

The Tennessean featured a profile today of 5th Circuit Judge Walter Kurtz, who is retiring. http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008803240349 .

Judge Kurtz recalls being told he would burn in Hell for his ruling that overturned the TN sodomy statute. He's taken a number of tough cases in his time, but says that public opinion really hasn't played a large role in his decisions: "People may think judges are more sensitive to public opinion than I believe we are," he said. "We took oaths. We are legally bound and committed to carry out our obligations."

He is married to Ellen Hobbs Lyle, a Davidson County chancery judge. If you remember, she is the judge who ruled against the challenge brought to the marriage amendment by the ACLU.

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