Is SCOTUS really thinking about rehearing Kennedy child rape case?

As detailed in this post at SCOTUSblog by Lyle Denniston, the Supreme Court today has asked for some more briefing concerning the motion for rehearing in the Kennedy child rape case.  Here are details from that posts:

The Supreme Court on Monday called for new legal briefs on possible rehearing — and, maybe, revision — of its ruling striking down the death penalty for the crime of child rape. In an order in Kennedy v. Louisiana (found here), the Court sought briefs from lawyers for both sides in the case, as well as from the federal government. The new briefing in 07-343 is to be completed by Sept. 24 — in advance of the Court’s first Conference of the new Term, on Monday, Sept. 29.

The briefs are to discuss two issues, according to the order: first, whether to grant rehearing of the June 25 decision, and second, what action — if any — the Court should take if it does reopen the case. Here is the way the Court phrased its inquiries: “whether rehearing should be granted” and “the merits of the issue raised in the petition for rehearing” filed by the state of Louisiana on July 21....

In Monday’s order, the Justices sought a supplemental brief of up to 4,500 words from attorneys for Patrick Kennedy, the death-row inmate at the center of the case, with that brief due on Sept. 17. The U.S. Solicitor General’s office is to file a brief of up to 2,500 words, due at the same time, on the federal government’s views. The state of Louisiana is to file a brief of up to 4,500 words, dealing not only with its plea for rehearing, but also “the merits of the issue raised in the petition for rehearing.” That final brief is due Sept. 24.

I presume that, even with this order, amicus briefs are still not permitted in support (or opposition) to the rehearing petition.  Still, this is an interesting and exciting development, and I am very much looking forward to seeing what these supplemental briefs look like (and what else gets said about the case in the media and in the blogosphere).

Some related recent posts on a possible Kennedy rehearing:

• Could all the mistakes in Kennedy be corrected?
• Louisiana seeks rehearing in Kennedy child rape case (with some notable lawyers helping out)
• Will the Supreme Court Rehear Kennedy v. Louisiana?
• Washington Post editorial supports rehearing in Kennedy child rape case
• The international dogs that did not bark in Kennedy
• Ineffective assistance (by prosecutors) in Kennedy child rape case?
• Some first-cut reactions to Justice Kennedy's work in Kennedy
• Culture of life trumps democracy and state experimentation in Kennedy
• Will (and can) "outraged" politicians really do anything about Kennedy?
• Counting to five in the Kennedy rehearing debate
• Add Prof. Tribe to those urging rehearing in Kennedy

UPDATE: The Washington Post reports on this new development in this artice.