Full Court Review Sought on Michigan Gay Marriage

Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette (SHOO'-tee) wants an entire federal appeals court to take a look at a decision overturning the state's ban on gay marriage.

Schuette told reporters Friday that he's asking the Cincinnati-based court to skip the usual step of first assigning the case to a three-judge panel. He says it would save time and money to have the full court take the appeal.

Schuette says, "We want to cut to the chase." He says there's plenty of precedent in other high-profile cases.

Michigan's ban on same-sex marriage was declared unconstitutional two weeks ago by a Detroit federal judge. Hundreds of couples were married before the appeals court suspended the ruling a day later.

Schuette has defended the gay-marriage ban. It was approved by voters in 2004.