Judge denies eight-day extension sought by GOP in N.C. same-sex marriage cases

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A federal judge has denied an eight-day extension sought by Republican state leaders seeking to intervene in two cases challenging North Carolina’s anti-LGBT marriage ban.

On Thursday afternoon, state House Speaker Thom Tillis and Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger hired attorneys affiliated with the anti-LGBT National Organization for Marriage — the same group which funneled more than $400,000 into the 2012 anti-gay amendment campaign — to represent the state.

In addition to their motion to intervene, the attorneys requested an extension of eight days to make their arguments against same-sex marriage.

Late Thursday evening, U.S. District Court Judge William Osteen issued an order denying their request.

“In light of the stage of this litigation, and the arguments and positions previously asserted by both parties to this case, this court does not find good cause to extend the time for filing a proposed Answer,” Osteen’s order read.

Osteen also gave Tillis and Berger’s attorneys until Noon on Friday, Oct. 10, to file a completed motion to intervene, which Osteen said he is currently reviewing.

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