Freed Kentucky Clerk Kim Davis Plans to Return to Work Monday, Lawyers Say
Kim Davis was jailed for contempt of court over same-sex marriage licenses.
— -- Kentucky clerk Kim Davis will return to work in Rowan County on Monday, her lawyers said today.
Davis was jailed in Grayson, Kentucky, for nearly one week after she refused a judge's order to issue marriage licenses, including to same-sex couples. She was released from jail Tuesday and has spent today going through the hundreds of letters sent to her during her six days in jail, according to a statement from Liberty Counsel, which represents Davis.
"I am deeply moved by all those who prayed for me. All I can say is that I am amazed and very grateful," Davis said from her home today, according to the Liberty Counsel. "I am enjoying spending time with my husband, my family, and my three dogs. I have also been spending time reading boxes of letters expressing support and prayers from people around the country."
Davis said, "I love God, love people, and love my work. I hope we will continue to respect these values and that America remains a place where all three can live in harmony."
Davis was taken into custody last Thursday after she refused to comply with U.S. District Judge David Bunning's order to resume issuing marriage licenses in Rowan County. Same-sex couples who came to the courthouse Friday were issued marriage licenses after most of the deputy clerks there agreed to do so.
An order issued Tuesday by Bunning said: "After remanding Defendant Davis to the custody of the U.S. Marshal, five of her six deputy clerks stated under oath that they would comply with the Court’s Order and issue marriage licenses to all legally eligible couples."
"On September 8, 2015, Plaintiffs filed a Status Report at the Court’s behest. According to the Report, Plaintiffs have obtained marriage licenses from the Rowan County Clerk’s Office," the order noted. "The Court is therefore satisfied that the clerk's office is fulfilling its obligation to issue marriage licenses to all legally eligible couples."
Over the weekend, Liberty Counsel, which represents Davis, filed an appeal of Bunning's contempt order with the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. Tuesday, Liberty Counsel filed an emergency motion to have Davis released from jail.
"She can never recover the past six days of her life spent in an isolated jail cell, where she was incarcerated like a common criminal because of her conscience and religious convictions," Davis' attorney Mat Staver said in a statement Tuesday. "She is now free to return to her family, her coworkers and the office where she has faithfully served for the past 27 years. We will continue to assist Kim and pursue the multiple appeals she has filed."