Kim Davis went to jail in 2016 rather than issue marriage licenses to gay couples. Davis just got hit with a $100,000 judgment in a civil case brought by one couple. Ouch!
Via USA Today:
Kim Davis, formerly the Rowan County clerk, attracted international attention when she refused to issue the license after the Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage in 2015, landing her in jail on a contempt of court charge for five days.
Following jury deliberations, Davis was ordered to pay $50,000 each to David Ermold and David Moore, according to Davis’ lawyers.
In his 2022 ruling against Davis, U.S. District Judge David Bunning wrote, “Davis cannot use her own constitutional rights as a shield to violate the constitutional rights of others while performing her duties as an elected official,”
In a surprising outcome, a second gay couple who sued did not get awarded any damages. James Yates and Will Smith applied three times. At one point, Davis claimed to be denying the licenses “under God’s authority.”
Davis became a figure in the 2016 election following the drama. Republicans used Davis to rally their base. Candidate Mike Huckabee even appeared with Davis at her release from jail.
The wheels of justice grind slowly, but they are always grinding!
Image: Rowan County Sherriff
