Branstad attorney asks Iowa Supreme Court to stop trial
The attorney for former Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad has filed an unusual request to the Iowa Supreme Court that seeks to stop a civil trial now in its third day, a...
Terry Branstad
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The attorney for former Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad has filed an unusual request to the Iowa Supreme Court that seeks to stop a civil trial now in its third day, arguing rulings by a judge are unconstitutional.
An eight-person is hearing the case in Polk County District Court.
Branstad attorney Frank Harty says in a document filed with the Supreme Court Thursday that the trial judge is allowing Godfrey to put on trial Branstad’s positions on gay marriage and the Republican Party’s “anti-gay” views.
Harty says such a trial violates free speech rights of Branstad and all Iowans by chilling political speech. He says the trial should be stopped and the constitutional claims considered.
