A New York judge has temporarily recused herself from criminal cases after she drew national attention for her refusal on religious grounds to officiate a lesbian couples marriage, according to a statement from an administrative judge in the state. Judge Felicia Pitts Davis drew national attention earlier this month after it was discovered that she performed a marriage for a straight couple in November reportedly crying with emotion for the straight couples wedding and then just walked out of the courtroom without explanation before the next couple two women could get married. A new judge had to be brought into the courtroom to perform the lesbian couples wedding. Related Judge compares gender-affirming care to cigarettes & beer while upholding youth ban The nine-day trial presented witnesses of varying credibility Sources told The Syracuse Post-Standard that Pitts Davis refused to perform the marriage because of her religious beliefs. Stay connected to your community Connect with the issues and events that impact your community at home and beyond by subscribing to our newsletter. Subscribe to our Newsletter today She looked at us with this look on her face and swished her hair,the women told NewsChannel 9. She just walked off. Like, she was just disgusted or something.Discrimination is banned under the code of conduct enforced by the New York Office of Court Administration. That code of conduct specifically states that judges who choose to perform marriages may not unlawfully discriminate when deciding which couples they will marry.For weeks, the court wouldnt comment on Pitts Davis actions, but then the state Office of Court Administration said that it was aware of the situation and that the Commission on Judicial Conduct was investigating.A week later, the lesbian couple, Shawntay and Niccora Davis, confirmed that they had been asked to testify before a grand jury about what happened. According to Administrative Judge for the Fifth Judicial District Deborah Karalunas, Pitts Davis has now temporarily recused herself from all cases involving the Onondaga County District Attorneys Office as she waits for the grand jury investigation to be completed in order to avoid the appearance of impropriety. Pitts Davis isnt commenting on the matter.Last week, Onondaga County District Attorney William Fitzpatrick said that he would ask Pitts Davis to recuse herself. You shouldnt have to walk into the court and wonder, Am I getting a fair shake? he said.The Davises said that, after Pitts Davis walked out of the courtroom, Judge Mary Anne Doherty was brought in to perform their marriage. Doherty talked to the couple afterwards and said that she, too, is married to a woman and that she now has twins with her wife.We really appreciate and thank [Doherty] for her doing that, Shawntay Davis said.New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) and Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh (Independence Party of New York) both denounced Pitts Davis. No one should be subject to hate or discrimination simply because of who they love. Any judge willing to officiate a wedding in their courtroom cannot pick and choose who deserves a wedding, Hochul wrote on social media.Judge Pitts-Davis refusal to perform [the] wedding ceremony doesnt align with this vision and, importantly, doesnt comply with state law, Walsh said in a statement.Onondaga County Democratic Chairperson Max Ruckdeschel called on Pitts Davis to resign, saying that the discrimination disqualifies her from any future consideration for our endorsement. Syracuse is located in Onondaga County, New York.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.