Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2014

Page 1

L&A: British songstress brings her charm to the states (Page 8)

Opinion: Marriage equality in the U.S. advanced Monday but not far enough (Page 4)

The University of Oklahoma’s independent student voice since 1916

W W W.O U DA I LY.C O M

2 013 PA C E M A K E R F I N A L I S T

T U E S D A Y , O C T O B E R 7, 2 0 14

JUST MARRIED Oklahoma same-sex couples benefit from federal court ruling

E

arly Monday morning, the U.S. Supreme Court decided to not hear the five cases seeking to prohibit same-sex marriage, making gay marriage legal in 30 states, including Oklahoma — one of the five cases turned away. Soon after, a federal court of appeals lifted its stay on same-sex marriage in Oklahoma. After the District Attorney cleared Oklahoma courthouses to issue same-sex marriage licenses. On page 3, read how the day played out for two Oklahoma same-sex couples, same-sex couples lined up to receive marriage licenses.

MARY AND SHARON Mary Bishop and Sharon Baldwin, alongside another couple, filed a lawsuit in 2004 against Oklahoma’s same-sex marriage ban. On Monday, the two ended their decade-long suit with a marriage outside the Tulsa County Courthouse. Read more about the couple’s legal battle, their wedding and their take on the Supreme Court’s decision to not hear their case.

AMBER AND HOLLY The Cleveland County Courthouse issued seven marriage licenses to same-sex couples as of 5 p.m. Monday. Read about what a marriage license means to one of the couples, Cleveland county residents Amber and Holly Starkman.

READ MORE ON

TONY RAGLE/THE DAILY

p. 3

Holly and Amber Starkman stand with their new marriage license Monday afternoon outside of the Cleveland County Courthouse. After the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear cases against same-sex unions, same-sex couples across the state — seven in Cleveland County as of 5 p.m. — have been taking advantage of their newly acquired rights.

WHAT ARE YOUR VIEWS ON MARRIAGE EQUALITY?

Melody Matthews University College freshman

Mason Miller film and media studies junior

Alice Barrett, letters sophomore Cara Alizadeh, history junior

Rachel Cummings University College freshman

“Because people should have the right to love freely.”

“Government should not be the one to validate marriage.”

“Girls like girls who like girls.”

“I like girls!”

POLICE

EVENT

Report released on viral arrest

Traditional OU ring ceremony to honor seniors, alumna

Norman Police Department says it finds no wrongdoing in Sept. 8 campus arrest PAIGHTEN HARKINS Digital Managing Editor @PaightenHarkins

“The levels of force utilized were applied appropriately in response to Mr. Cannon’s continuing non-compliance to officers’ verbal commands.” KEITH HUMPHREY, NORMAN CHIEF OF POLICE

MIKE BRESTOVANSKY Assistant News Editor @BrestovanskyM

Following the release of a viral video showing the arrest of a Norman man on Sept. 8, the Norman Police Department has found the officers’ actions justifiable after the department performed an evaluation, according to a press release. The defendant, Willie Cannon, 23, was arrested Sept. 8, after police received a complaint that he was sexually harassing women on Campus Corner. The video, in which Cannon was heard screaming while officers restrained him, received scrutiny from groups like OU’s Students for a Stateless Society due to what members said seemed to be an act of excessive force. Cannon was arrested on charges of outraging the public decency and obstructing an officer. According to the review, the Norman Police Department WEATHER Sunny today with a high of 89, low of 66. Follow @AndrewGortonWX on Twitter for weather updates.

found the officers’ use of force justifiable given the circumstances. “The levels of force utilized were applied appropriately in response to Mr. Cannon’s continuing non-compliance to officers’ verbal commands,” said Keith Humphrey, Norman Chief of Police. “Although any use of force above the levels of command presence and verbal direction may be viewed unfavorably by some, it is necessary in order to gain and maintain control of non-compliant subjects.” The decision included the evaluation of audio and video from the incident by three of the department’s defensive tactics instructors, an incident evaluation by the professional standards division and a comprehensive report submitted to Humphrey, according to the press release.

DANIELLE WIERENGA News Reporter @Weirdenga

A ring ceremony honoring OU seniors and an alumna for their commitment to education will be held Friday. The Ring Ceremony will begin at 4 p.m. in Oklahoma Memorial Union’s courtyard. The ceremony will be moved to the Union’s Beaird Lounge if there is inclement weather. The honoree at this year’s Ring Ceremony will be Carol Burr, director of publications for the OU Foundation, who has worked with Sooner Magazine on-and-off since before she graduated from OU in 1959, according to a press release.

SEE POLICE PAGE 2

CONTACT US

INDEX

@OUDaily

News......................2 Classifieds................6 Life&Ar ts..................8 Opinion.....................4 Spor ts........................5

theoklahomadaily

Proceedings will honor students’ commitment to education at OU

OUDaily

SEE CEREMONY PAGE 2

VOL. 100, NO. 36 © 2014 OU Publications Board FREE — Additional copies 25¢


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.
Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2014 by OU Daily - Issuu