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Thursday, July 14, 2005

Charges dropped against gay marriage Mayor Jason West

Charges dropped against gay marriage Mayor Jason West The Ulster County district attorney dropped all charges against New Paltz Mayor Jason West, pictured, yesterday for marrying same-sex couples, saying that a trial would be needless and divisive. West had been charged with 24 misdemeanor counts of violating the state's domestic relations law when he performed public marriage ceremonies for two dozen gay and lesbian couples in February 2004. In a letter to the town judge withdrawing the charges, D.A. Donald Williams said a trial would probably "be exploited by those with a greater interest in publicity than the public good." Mayor West had been expected to stand trial in the fall, and if convicted, he could have faced fines and up to a year in prison. �
[Date: 13-Jul-05 ]

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