By a slim 5-4 margin the U. S. Supreme Court today blocked cameras from broadcasting the Prop 8 trial.

In an unsigned opinion Wednesday, the court criticized [Judge] Walker for attempting to change the rules “at the eleventh hour to treat this case differently than other trials.”

While the court set no time limit in its ruling, any further proceedings at high court likely would come after the trial was over.

The four justices in dissent were Stephen Breyer, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Sonia Sotomayor and John Paul Stevens.

At this time it is still unclear if the trial proceedings will be posted on YouTube as that was not addressed in today’s decision.

The American Foundation for Equal Rights which is leading the challenge against Proposition 8 released the following statement:

“Proposition 8 attacks the core of what our nation stands for — that all of us are entitled to equal protection under the law and equal treatment from the government. A trial on constitutional rights should be accessible to as many people as possible,” said Chad Griffin, Board President of the American Foundation for Equal Rights. “Given the powerful evidence against Prop. 8 presented in court today, we are not surprised the initiative’s defenders sought to keep this trial as private as possible.”

Not surprisingly the ruling broke cleanly along idealogical lines and fear it doesn’t bode well for when the case ultimately reaches the Supreme Court.

Many of us missed this particular video in the run up to Prop 8 and is perhaps one of the most offensive, with high production value appealing to young voters. This video among others was presented as evidence in court today. Watch:

More on homophobic pastor Miles McPherson here.

Just hours before the Federal court challenge to Prop 8 was slated to begin in San Francisco this morning, the Supreme Court stepped in and blocked its broadcast… for now.

The high court on Monday said it will not allow video of the trial to be posted on YouTube.com, even with a delay, until the justices have more time to consider the issue. It said that Monday’s order will be in place at least until Wednesday.

Opponents of the broadcast say they fear witness testimony might be affected if cameras are present.

Justice Stephen Breyer said he would have allowed cameras while the court considers the matter.

Acting less than two hours before the trial’s scheduled start, the justices said they also would not permit real-time streaming that would have allowed the trial to be seen in other federal courthouses.

Hopefully this is only a temporary setback, and ultimately the cameras are allowed to bear witness to who these people really are. Nothing like a little light to make the roaches scurry for the dark corners.

On the eve of the Federal court challenge to Prop 8, David Boies appeared on Good Morning America Weekend edition to discuss the upcoming case which begins in San Francisco tomorrow. Watch:

[pro-player width=’480′ height=’320′ type=’video’ image=’https://inlookout.com/wp-content/uploads/boiesprop8.jpg’]http://video-cdn.abcnews.com/100110_gma_prop_8.flv[/pro-player]