california voters passed proposition eight banning same sex marriage. they rules the proposition unconstitutional, the supreme court took up the case. >> it's so hard to find five justices to come not just to a decision, but the reasoning for the decision. there are many different reasons they could agree to it. we know they're talking about setting precedent, and you want to be very, very sure of what you're doing to try to make sure it stays. you don't want it overruled. >> the court has a lot of options, it could hold it up, it could strike it down, it could allow same sex marriages nationwide. you can also rule supporters of prop eight do not have league standings, and it should not have been reviewed in the first place. we know tomorrow, it looks like thursday at the latest. nbc bay area will be report frg washington dc tomorrow morning and reports across the bay area when that ruling comes down. >>> a home is destroyed and a family displayed after an early morning fire. it was on south garden court near 101 and 85. the family of three woke up to t

in 1996 california voters passed proposition 209 which banned affirmative action. universities could no longer consider race during the admission process. >>> developing news in antioch. right now police are looking for a man accused of kidnapping his own daughter. he triggered an amber alert this morning. however, this afternoon the 11-month-old girl was reunited with her mother after being found safe. police say 23-year-old joshua benton broke into a home and abducted his young daughter. he was later spotted with the child. but he ran leaving the baby behind. benton is considered armed and dangerous. >>> a bar fight is brewing in san jose in the willow again neighborhood. residents say the local bar is attracting the wrong crowd. the owner says he's trying to change the bar's old reputation. neighbors want the city to simply shut it down after a weekend stabbing. nbc bay area's kris sanchez j n joins us from the willow den. what happens next, chris? >> reporter: the stabbing happened about 11:00 on saturday night, about three hours after this neighborhood's popul

but plans for their own wedding were interrupted when california voters passed proposition 8, banning same-sex marriage. >> we didn't think the right to marriage was going to be taken away in our home state. >> we were really shocked by that. >> reporter: as soon as same-sex marriage became legal in new york, they flew there to get married. >> our marriage was not recognized here in california, so today's ruling really-- well, it gives us what we wanted, which was to be recognized in our home state. >> reporter: are you planning now to have a second service here in california? >> yes, definitely. >> reporter: now, they get to file taxes jointly and have visitation rights at hospitals. >> today is a great victory for us on a federal level, on a state level. but for our brothers and sisters in 37 other states that are still waiting for equality, we have some work to do. >> reporter: scott, they say their love and their lives now are equal to everyone else's. california governor jerry brown has told state officials to get ready to start issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples once

. >> reporter: california voters passed proposition 69 in 2004. it mandated authorities to get samples from convicted felons, and in 2009, the haw expanded to those -- law expanded to those arrested. some say the law goes too far because it applies to people who have only been arrested not necessarily convicted. >> we don't think the government should be able to seize an american's genetic blueprint and without a warrant and proving that person is involved in criminal activity. >> reporter: justice anthony scalia agrees. he said your dna can be taken and registered if you're ever arrested rightly or wrongly. but another justice said it was like a fingerprint. and like it or not, if you find yourself under arrest, expect this. it's now the law of the land. rob roth, ktvu channel 2 news. >>> the supreme court is weighing another big decision. how local officials are gearing up on the ruling on proposition 8. . >>> cool and mild out there. still warm in antioch, up to 84 degrees. the winds were blowing out in the bay so the cool moist air, 69 in oakl

. >> reporter: california voters passed proposition 69 in 2004. it mandated authorities to get samples from convicted felons, and in 2009, the haw expanded to those -- law expanded to those arrested. some say the law goes too far because it applies to people who have only been arrested not necessarily convicted. >> we don't think the government should be able to seize an american's genetic blueprint and without a warrant and proving that person is involved in criminal activity. >> reporter: justice anthony scalia agrees. he said your dna can be taken and registered if you're ever arrested rightly or wrongly. but another justice said it was like a fingerprint. and like it or not, if you find yourself under arrest, expect this. it's now the law of the land. rob roth, ktvu channel 2 news. >>> the supreme court is weighing another big decision. how local officials are gearing up on the ruling on proposition 8. . >>> cool and mild out there. still warm in antioch, up to 84 degrees. the winds were blowing out in the bay so the cool moist air, 69 in oakl

in 2008 california voters passed proposition 8 invalidating marriages already performed in the state. now 17 years after doma and 5 years after the california set back, they were standing on the supreme court steps celebrating true equality in the eyes of the federal government. >> no matter where you live, no matter who your parents are, no matter what family you're in, you are equal, you are as good as your friends, parents, and as your friends. >> that's not enough. it's got to go nationwide. and we can't wait for that day! it's not just about us, it's about kids in the south, it's about kids in texas and it's about kids everywhere and we really, really want to take this fight and take it all the way and get equality for everyone in this entire country. >> today the court said that i am more equal, that we are more equal. our love is just like our parents and our grandparents and that any children that we may have in the future will be more secure. i look forward to growing old with the man i love. >> we're lucky and we know that the fight continues across this country. we cannot f

. >>> a majority of california voter, 7 million, passed proposition 8.ders of the antigay marriage movement say they don't know exactly what their next step will be, but they vow to keep on fighting. >> i think it will impact society strongly. and the youth of our country. >> natural marriage has been destroyed as a role model for children. it's now up to parents and grandparents to diligently teach their children and grandchildren the truth, that marriage is naturally between a male and a female, air man and a woman. >> the u.s. catholic bishops weighed in, calling today a tragic day for marriage and our nation. they said "the federal government ought to respect the truth that marriage is a union of one man and one woman." >>> today's other big ruling was on doma. cheers erupted outside the supreme court when the justices struck down a key part of doma. the ruling allows same-sex spouses to receive federal benefits in states where their marriage is legal. linda yi on the decision and the financial impact it will have. >> reporter: for the five-4 majorit

in 2008, california voters passed proposition 8, 8 boat on same-sex marriages.d that the same sex marriage ban was unconstitutional discrimination. here is where things got tricky, the verdict was appealed and the ninth circuit court of appeals would governor schwarzenegger and round named as a will defend its. they refused to defend the law. marriage .com stepped in to defend prop 8. it went to the supreme court and they all met lee ruled that this private party did not have legal standing to defend the state constitutionality of the matter. >> that is what brings us to today. that was the five to four boat that came and this morning. the high court ruled that overturned prop 8 making it same-sex marriage is legal in california. they're not extending it nationwide. however what does eggs will affect the nation is doma. and eat other places other than california at that do have legal same-sex marriage, the federal benefits will be awarded. >> same-sex marriages will be legal again and california. michael yaki will be out in just a moment. >> they do not changed

in 2008 same-sex marriages briefly became legal when california voters struck down proposition 22. november voters passed proposition 8 beganing same-sex marriage in california. today, the supreme court makes the ultimate decision on prop 8. marla tellez joins us with perspective from a legal analyst what we can expect to hear today. >> good morning. dean johnson a criminal defense attorney, providing legal analysis on california law for years includes same-sex marriage laws since 2004. you're an expert when it comes to this theme. thank you for waking up so early today. >> my pleasure. >> you have had your eye on this for almost ten years. you've been watching it at the high court over last few days. whaens you're sense of the ruling? >> we'll seal prop 8 and doma overturned as unconstitutional but the theme is going to be state's rights. the supreme court is not going to make a broad decision there's a fundamental right to same-sex marriage. they're going to say let the states do it. the states define marriage and we're going to leave it that way. they're going to say california tried to do it but didn

. >>> in the 2000 elections california voters passed proposition 36, endorsing treatment for non-violento the bureau of justice statistics, criminal activity usually drops more than half after offenders receive substance abuse treatment. the l.a. county jail's answer to this growing trend in reducing recidivism is the biscailuz recovery center. >> here they get a very intense, very emotional, very personal contact. and we stress accountability in everything they do here. >> often referred to as camp hug-a-thug, the recovery center encompasses a drug abuse program and a batterer program for men convicted of a domestic violent crime. >> it's generally set up for someone to a low to a medium security inmate. we look for someone who's feeling that they want to show a commitment to a program, they want to see it through. >> upon entry to the recovery center, inmates are greeted by an elaborate koi fish pond and waterfall, with housing units equipped with clean carpets, air-conditioning, and lots of windows for sunshine. the only physical remnants of jail is the perimeter fence and razor wire.

second 5-4 decision, this time by chief justice roberts, the court passed out an appeal of california's proposition 8. passed by voters in 2008. it had stopped same-sex marriages in the state. the court says the people who put prop 8 on the ballot had no legal authority to appeal after a lower court struck it down as unconstitutional. for the two california couples who challenged the law, that's the answer they wanted. >> now, we will be married and we will be equal to every other family in california. >> reporter: a short time later, their interview on msnbc was interrupted by a call from the president on air force one. >> we thank you so much for your support. >> i'm very proud of you. you know, through your courage you're helping out a lot of people everywhere. >> reporter: opponents of same-sex marriage took some comfort in the ruling. >> i am pleased that the court did not create out of thin air a constitutional rights same-sex marriage and this debate will go on. >> that's nbc's pete williams reporting. >>> one of the most-anticipated witnesses in the george zimmerman murder trial, the last person to speak to hi

for life. [ cheers and applause ] >> these are the first gay marriages in california since 2008 when voters here passed proposition 8, banning same-sex union. tonight opponents filed an emergency motion with the supreme court to stop these marriages. >> it's troubling that people could go through all this trouble and pass an initiative and it's handed over to government officials and if they don't like it, they can just refuse to enforce it. >> reporter: supported or not, gay marriage brings big money. a reach institute at ucla law, it estimates the state could gain $46 million in tax and fee revenue alone from new weddings, a boost of a half a billion dollars over the next few years. so weddings continue tonight and tomorrow in san francisco, resume first thing monday morning. here in los angeles and across the state, extra clerks are being brought in to work extra hours in some cities to accommodate the rush. >> pulling in some overtime. ryan, thank you. >>> still much more ahead on "world news," this saturday night. paula deen paying a price, some say more than $12 million lost after admitting using a racial sl

decision, this time by chief justice roberts the court tossed an appeal involving california's proposition 8 passed by voters in 2008. it stopped same-sex marriage in the state. the people who put it on the ballot had no right to appeal. for the two california couples who challenged the law that's the answer they wanted now, we'll be marry and we'll be kwal to every other family in california. >> reporter: their interview on msnbc was interrupted by a call from the president on air force one. >> we thank you so much for your support. >> you should be very proud of today and through your courage, you're helping out a whole lot of people everywhere. >> reporte >> i'm pleased that the court didn't constitute a -- >> that was nbc's pete williams reporting. >>> wednesday was a huge day in the george zimmerman trial. perhaps one of the most important witnesses in the case, the defense challenging her testimony on the night that trayvon martin was killed. jay gray has more. >> reporter: on day three of testimony -- prosecutors introduced the witness who may be the corner stone of their case. >> unless george zimmer

decision, this time by chief justice roberts, the court tossed out an appeal involving california's proposition 8 passed by voters in 2008. it stopped same-sex marriage in california. the court said the people who put prop 8 on the ballot had no legal authority to appeal after a lower court struck it down as unconstitutional. it's not enough to have a keen interest in the case to file an appeal. instead, someone must have suffered a concrete injury he said, and the prop 8 supporters didn't have it. for the two california couples who challenged the law, that's the answer they wanted. >> now we will be married and we will be equal to every other family in california. >> today is a good day. today i finally get to look at the man that i love and finally say, will you please marry me? >> reporter: a short time later, their interview on msnbc was interrupted by a call from the president on air force one. >> thank you so much for your support. >> be very proud of today, and, you know, you're -- you have affected a whole lot of people everywhere. >> reporter: opponents of same-sex marriage did take some comfort in the r

in 2008 same-sex marriage briefly became legal when california voters struck down proposition 22. voter passedriage in california. today, the supreme court makes that ultimate decision on prop 8. the supreme court clearing the way for same-sex marriage in california by holding the defenders of california's gay marriage ban did not have the right to appeal. these are the plaintiffs in washington, d.c., in front of scotus. let's listen in here. >> today is a great day for american children and families. sandy and i want to say how happy we are not only to be able to return to california and finally get married but to be able to say to the children in california, no matter where you lib new yo live no matter who your parents are, no matter what family you're in, you're equal and as good as your friends' parents and friends. bebelieved from the beginning the importance of the case was to send a message to the children of this country that you are just as good as everybody else, no matter who you love, no matter who your parents love. today we can go back to california and say to our own children,

in 2008 voters passed proposition 8 in california. legal experts say that it's not surprising that the decision has been long in coming. >> hard to find five justices on any of these cases to come not just to a decision but the reasoning for the decision. there are many different reasons. and they all know they are talking about a setting precedent. when you set precedent you want to be very, very sure of what you're doing to make sure it stays. >> and there are many possibilities. the court could uphold prop 8 and the ban or strike down prop 8 allowing same-sex marriages nationwide or just in california. it could rule supporters of prop 8 don't have legal standing to defend the law or the case should not have been reviewed in the first place. >>> the pride flag over richmond city hall is parking controversy. the mayor decided to raise that flag after a gay counsel member asked him to do it. the employees sent out e-mails questioning the mayor's decision. jim rogers says that the flag should not come down. >> in richmond we think that

marriage. >> does that mean that we -- just for people, to remind them, proposition 8 was a law passed by the voters of california in 2008. they overwhelmingly went to the polls to vote for president obama in 2008, and they -- not overwhelmingly, but a majority of them went, and voted against same-sex marriage in california. does that mean that that law stands, or that it was stricken down, because it was stricken down by the first court? >> that's the question. and i don't think this opinion explicitly answers that question. but there's a political context here, too. california politicians, the leadership of california, the governor, the attorney general, the mayors of san francisco, the mayors of los angeles, they want same-sex marriages to resume. if there is any ambiguity in this opinion -- and i think there is -- they are going to interpret it as a green light to go forward. so i have to believe there will be more legal proceedings in california based on this, but i think you're going to have the whole political infrastructure of california saying, it's time to go, it's time to let people get married. they'v

pass that along. >> all eyes will be on the u-s- supreme court today. it's possible the justices will issue their decision on proposition 8. the california votertors to san francisco's castro district saying they're paying close attention. >> it is on the topic of everybody's today at brunch. >> i have actually witnessed some of the hearings in side of the court room and there does not seem to be any argument supporting proposition 8. >> gosh. it could go either way but i am optimistic. >> i think it looks promising but you never know weather or not they are going to make that decision on a limited basis or a broader basis. >> cautiously optimistic. and we're not going to get everything we want or deserve but i think that will get something out of it. >> it should be equal rights for everybody. >> " i do " is a religious term i'm not worried about that but the risks associated with it. >> the supreme court typically issues its rulings on mondays and thursdays. some are hoping though that the court makes the announcement during pride weekend at the end of the month. there are plans to shut down castro street when a decision is reached. keep it

. >> proposition 8 changes california's constitution to read only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized this california. this was a voter-i approved initiative passed in november 2008. again, president obama has just responded saying today's doma ruling is a historic stem forward for marriage equality. >> as we mention, this comes in the wake of americans' attitudes about same-sex marriage changing over the time since prop 8 was passed. an abc news/"washington post" poll released earlier this month finds 57% of americans now support gay marriage. you see the poll on the screen. we saw 34% opposed. this is another screen by the way. do you support federal benefits for same-sex couples? we see here 63% support that, 34% oppose, 3% are unsure. this relates to the doma decision, defense of marriage act, which denied certain federal benefits like social security to same-sex couples. >> all right. right now the supreme court is issuing a ruling on a different case, something related to employment. but right now we want to let you know the battle over same-sex marriage began in earnest in san francisco right here back in february of 2004. that's when then

proposition 8 in california. you may recall same-sex marriage started there in 2008 and then it was stopped a few months later when voters went to the polls and passedonstitutional amendment to ban same sex marriage. 'been challenged in court and the supreme court will decide what's to become of that. the second is a challenge to a federal law passed in 199 6 by congress signed by clinton called the defense of marriage act. it says as far as the federal government is concerned, marriage can exist only between one man and one woman. the court will decide whether that's constitutional. the effect of that law is to block the federal government from recognizing the validity of same sex marriages in the states where they're legal and states number now 12 and the district of columbia here. so the court is deciding those two issues. it's not going to decide the question of whether the all states have to allow same-sex marriage. it's really inconceivable whatever the court does today is it going to change that. >> all right. nbc's pete williams. thank you very much. >> everything that you, pete. >> we're going to turn now to a remarkable story out of texas