Men accused of Door County hate crimes want charges thrown out
By Paul Brinkmann
Press-Gazette Door County bureau


STURGEON BAY— Attorneys for five Door County men who are charged with hate crimes from a June 6 barroom brawl asked a local judge Monday to dismiss most of the charges for lack of evidence.

The five men are accused of beating two Sturgeon Bay men because of the pair’s perceived sexual orientation. In court Monday, their attorneys introduced arguments that the alleged victims were not chosen because of their perceived sexual orientation, which is a requirement for a hate crime.


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Hearing set to block vote on banning gay marriage
The Associated Press


NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A lawsuit challenging a proposed amendment that would lock a same-sex marriage ban into Louisiana's constitution was set for a hearing Tuesday morning in civil court.

The suit was filed in state court Friday on grounds it was illegally approved by the Legislature and should be kept off the Sept. 18 ballot.

The amendment includes language that would ban civil unions and still other language that could be interpreted as outlawing the extension of domestic partnership benefits to unmarried couples. That, said attorney Randy Evans, means the legislation is drawn up for more than one purpose — a "multiple objective" forbidden in legislation by the state constitution.

Plaintiffs identified in the suit include a man who opposes government recognition of same-sex marriage but strongly favors government recognition of same-sex civil unions.