Kennedy wrote an opinion striking down parts of Defense of Marriage legislation . And at precisely 10 a.m. , Kennedy kicked off the public session with his eloquent majority ruling striking down a key part of a federal law that blocks a range of benefits for legally married gay and lesbian couples . Kennedy and former Justice Sandra Day O'Connor were the court 's centrists . When O'Connor stepped down two years ago , she ` ` ' the keys '' to justice . With four Democrats to the right and four Republicans to the left , Kennedy is squarely in middle .
Kennedy wrote an opinion striking down parts of Defense of Marriage legislation . Kennedy and former Justice Sandra Day O'Connor were the court 's centrists . When O'Connor stepped down two years ago , she ` ` ' the keys '' to justice . With four Democrats to the right and four Republicans to the left , Kennedy is squarely in middle .