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Prop. 8 backers seek review of gay marriage case

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — The backers of California's same-sex marriage ban petitioned a federal appeals court Tuesday to review a split decision by three of its judges that struck down Proposition 8, deciding for now to avoid taking their chances before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Lawyers for the religious and legal groups behind the ban beat a midnight deadline to ask the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to rehear the 2-1 decision that declared Proposition 8 to be a violation of the civil rights of gay and lesbian Californians,.

If they had not sought reconsideration, the three judges could have ordered the ruling to take effect in another seven days, clearing the way for same-sex marriages to resume in the state.

Instead, same-sex marriages will remain on hold at least until the 9th Circuit decides to accept or reject the rehearing petition. The court does not face a deadline for doing so.

"After careful consideration, we determined that asking for reconsideration by the full Ninth Circuit is in the best interests of defending Prop. 8," said Andy Pugno, general counsel for the Protect Marriage coalition. "This gives the entire 9th Circuit a chance to correct this anomalous decision by just two judges overturning the vote of seven million Californians."

Legal experts said supporters of the ban could be exhausting all their options before trying to take the case to the U.S. Supreme Court.

"It's another procedural opportunity they have, so why give up another bite at the apple?" Stanford University law professor Jane Schacter said about the decision to appeal to the 9th Circuit.

Proposed SF harbor rules spark boaters' ire

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — New rules proposed for San Francisco's public harbor are not going over well with some boaters.

The city wants to forbid tenants of the harbor, which fronts the Marina Green, from subleasing their boat slips. It also wants to stop them from transferring the slips to people who buy their boats.

City officials believe some leaseholders have sold boats at prices above their market value because the slip was included in the deal.

Recreation and Park Department General Manager Phil Ginsburg said) that people should not be profiting from a public asset.

But harbor tenants say the city previously promised they would be allowed to transfer their boat slips, and anyone who buys a boat needs a place to put it.

Police: Mom was getaway driver for her son’s crime

SAN JOSE (AP) — A California woman was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after police say she drove the getaway car for her teenage son who allegedly stabbed a boy.

Police say 42-year-old Margaret Suazo of San Jose was driving with her 15-year-old son and another teen last Thursday when they spotted a 13-year-old gang rival.

Her son is accused of exchanging words with the rival then leaving the car, chasing him down and stabbing him.

Sgt. Jason Dwyer says the son got back into the car and Suazo drove them away.