Case Name: BARNSTONE v. UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON et al.
Court: Supreme Court of the United States
Jurisdiction: United States
Decision Date: 1980-05-12
Citations: 446 U.S. 1318
Docket Number: No. A-978
Parties: BARNSTONE v. UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON et al.
Judges: 
Reporter: United States Reports
Volume: 446
Pages: 1318–1319

Head Matter:
BARNSTONE v. UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON et al.
No. A-978.
Decided May 12, 1980

Opinion:
Mr. Justice Powell,
Circuit Justice.
On May 9, 1980, the District Court for the Southern District of Texas entered a temporary restraining order compelling respondents to broadcast "The Death of a Princess," a television program to be distributed by the Public Broadcasting Service, on May 12, 1980, at 8 p. m. Today, the Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit vacated the District Court order on condition that the respondents "tape and preserve the program in issue." Applicant seeks relief from the Court of Appeals order. The respondents oppose the application, and represent that "The Death of a Princess" will be preserved on videotape' for later airing should the applicant obtain a permanent injunction. The Public Broadcasting Service has filed an amicus brief also asking that the application of the applicant be denied.
Although applicant requests that the Court grant certiorari and reverse the judgment of the Court of Appeals, in purpose and effect applicant is requesting that the order of that court be vacated, thereby reinstating the temporary restraining order of the District Court. Such a request normally comes to me as Circuit Justice. Although I may have considered referring this to the entire Court, a quorum is not present. I therefore exercise my authority as Circuit Justice to rule on applicant's application.
Upon consideration of the papers, I deny the application.
I have consulted informally with each of my Brethren who was present at the Court when these papers arrived late this afternoon. Although no other Justice has participated in the drafting of this order, I am authorized to state that each of the three whom I consulted would vote to deny this application. Of course, this action should not be taken as expressing a view on the merits of the questions raised in this case. See Graves v. Barnes, 405 U. S. 1201, 1204 (1972) (Powell, J., in chambers).