District Briefing

SUPERIOR COURT

Judge Might Review Same-Sex Marriage Law

A D.C. Superior Court judge said yesterday that she will look into whether she has the authority to delay enactment of a law that calls for the D.C. government to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other jurisdictions.

Judge Judith E. Retchin convened a hearing on a lawsuit filed by opponents of gay marriage. Unless Retchin intervenes, District recognition of the marriages will become law July 6.

Opponents wanted to have a referendum on the issue, but the D.C. elections board said that would be illegal under the District's Human Rights Act. The opponents filed a lawsuit Wednesday challenging that ruling and want Retchin to delay enactment of the law so that all legal issues can be thoroughly reviewed.

-- Keith L. Alexander

NORTHEAST

Fatal Fire at Duplex Is Ruled an Accident

A fatal fire this month at a Northeast Washington duplex was an accident caused by electrical problems, officials said yesterday.

The fire broke out before 6 a.m. June 10 and destroyed most of the residence in the 5000 block of Just Street. Ida L. Speight, 55, died in the blaze.

This year, 14 people have been killed in fires in the District, double the number for all of last year. Officials said that the home had no working smoke alarm, underscoring the need for what Fire Chief Dennis L. Rubin called "back-to-basics fire and life safety education."