 The judge found that while "Baker v. Nelson" was precedent, it did not require him to find that denial of marriage equality is outside federal jurisdiction because "[t]he jurisprudence of equal protection and substantive due process has undergone what can only be characterized as a sea change since 1972", foremost being the recent Supreme Court ruling in "United States v. Windsor".In early December, the state's attorneys asked Jones to allow them to ask the Third Circuit Court of Appeals to rule on whether "Baker v. Nelson" is binding precedent.Judge Jones denied this interlocutory appeal on December 17, writing "this Court is rightfully in position to consider and assess such doctrinal advancements [since "Baker"]."