California's gay-marriage ban is again being tested as a high-profile federal-court case opened in the state Monday and immediately drew a ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court.

The high court temporarily blocked the Internet broadcast of the trial, the first serious challenge in federal court to a state law against same-sex marriage.

The main issue in the case, being heard in U.S. District Court, is whether a 2008 voter initiative dubbed Proposition 8 violates the U.S. Constitution by creating a law that discriminates on the basis of sexual orientation. Defenders of Proposition 8 say it validly defined marriage in traditional terms by restricting marriage to people who could have children naturally.

Whatever the outcome in Chief Judge Vaughn Walker's courtroom, the case will likely be appealed, eventually to the U.S. Supreme Court. Five states currently permit same-sex marriage, either by statute or under their state constitutions.

In exchange, prosecutors agreed to dismiss six other charges during Tuesday's hearing.

The 52-year-old Becker pleaded guilty to attempted sexual assault of a child under 16 and child enticement. He faces up to 45 years in prison when he's sentenced March 3.

Defense attorney Patrick Cafferty declined comment until after Becker's sentencing hearing.

Becker was arrested at a shopping center on Jan. 13 in a sting operation after authorities said he was involved in explicit Internet chats with a state agent posing as a 14-year-old girl.

Becker was charged Jan. 15 and resigned as mayor five days later.

Joshua Southwick, Angela Mink and her brother, Ashton Mink, entered pleas Tuesday.

Prosecutors say Ashton Mink's wife, Jacquelin, pleaded guilty last week.

Authorities say Angela and Jacquelin Mink helped the men escape from an Alabama prison in May. Southwick was serving time for murder and burglary; Mink for attempted murder.

The four are believed to have eluded authorities in at least seven states until a June 5 video store robbery in North Dakota. They fled, holed up in a nearby ranch outbuilding and were arrested after shootouts with law enforcement.

A federal judge has twice rejected Michelle Kosilek’s request forelectrolysis, finding that she had not shown a “serious medical need”for the hair removal treatments.

Kosilek’s lawyers filed an amended lawsuit Friday, asking thatprison officials be required to follow recommendations for electrolysisby several doctors. Kosilek is also asking for an independentevaluation by a specialist in gender-identity disorder.

Kosilek was named Robert when convicted of killing his wife, Cheryl,in 1990. Kosilek has undergone hormone therapy and seven electrolysistreatments, and dresses as a woman in an all-male state prison.

State prison officials oppose sex-change surgery, saying it would create security problems.

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