The judges who will hear the Prop 8 case next week have been chosen. Judges Michael Hawkins, Stephen Reinhardt and N. Randy Smith have been assigned to case through a random choice process.
Reinhardt is considered to be the most liberal of the justices of the 9th Circuit. He and Hawkins were both appointed by Democratic Presidents (Carter & Clinton), while Smith was appointed by a Republican.
Given the makeup of the judges, the general opinion is that Judge Walker’s ruling to overturn Prop 8 will be upheld.
