NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP/NewsChannel 5) - Opponents of a mosque being built in Tennessee have gotten a judge to nullify the government decision that approved it, but they lost their bid to stop construction immediately.
Rutherford County Chancellor Robert Corlew stated in an order released Friday in the Nashville suburb of Murfreesboro that the approval is void because it was taken in violation of the Tennessee's Open Meetings Act. He ruled earlier this week that the county didn't give the public adequate notice of what has become a contentious issue.
The order prohibits further meetings on the mosque without proper notice.
But the decision also said that if the mosque opponents want to halt construction, they must begin a new court action.
The construction has been ongoing during the year-and-a-half the court case has dragged on.
Plaintiffs' attorneys had filed an order that included an injunction to that effect. The order does not become final until signed by the judge, which could take up to 30 days.
County Attorney Jim Cope said Thursday he would contest the order because he does not believe it accurately reflects the judge's ruling. Cope had said he believes plaintiffs need to sue the mosque if they want to halt construction.
The mosque is less than six weeks from completion, and Islamic leaders said construction will continue until they're told to stop.
Past Stories:
- May 30, 2012: Construction Continues On Murfreesboro Mosque
- May 29, 2012: Judge Says Murfreesboro Mosque Construction Must Stop
- April 26, 2012: Testimony Concluded In Murfreesboro Mosque Suit
- April 26, 2012: Islam Claims Blocked In Trial Over Murfreesboro Mosque
- April 20, 2012: Debate Over Murfreesboro Mosque Headed To Trial
- April 16, 2012: Former SNL Star Questions Murfreesboro Mosque
- April 4, 2012: Attorneys Ask Judge To Throw Out Mosque Challenge
- Feb. 8, 2012: Construction Begins On Murfreesboro Mosque
- Nov. 2, 2011: Chancellor Sets Date For Murfreesboro Mosque Trial
- Oct. 11, 2011: New Court Date Set In Murfreesboro Mosque Lawsuit
- Oct. 7, 2011: Another Plea Filed Against Murfreesboro Mosque
- Sep. 28, 2011: Group Breaks Ground On Murfreesboro Mosque
- Sep. 27, 2011: Groundbreaking For New Mosque On Wednesday
- Sep. 14, 2011: Mosque Construction Delayed After Bids Lacking
- Sep. 6, 2011: Murfreesboro Mosque Receives Bomb Threat 5 Days Before 9/11
- Aug. 31, 2011: Judge Affirms Ruling Allowing Mosque Construction
- Aug. 29, 2011: Judge Says Mosque is Protected by Religious Freedom
- June 27, 2011: Tensions Rise In Murfreesboro Mosque Hearing
- June 16, 2011: Plaintiffs Want Access To Leaders' Emails About Mosque
- April 19, 2011: Security Cameras Removed At Murfreesboro Mosque Site
- April 6, 2011: Mosque Neighbors Join In On Lawsuit
- March 9, 2011: Judge Denies Request For Emails In Mosque Hearing
- Feb. 14, 2011: County Lawyers To Ask For Dismissal Of Mosque Case
- Nov. 17, 2010: Judge Denies Request To Stop Mosque Construction
- Nov. 2, 2010: Legal Fees For Mosque Suit Could Top $50,000
- Oct. 25, 2010: High Cost Of Security Could Slow Mosque Construction
- Oct. 22, 2010: Opponents Try To Link Mosque Members To Terrorists
- Oct. 21, 2010: Attorney: Mosque Board Member Has Ties To Terrorists
- Oct. 20, 2010: County Officials Defend Action In Murfreesboro Mosque Case
- Oct. 19, 2010: Murfreesboro Mosque Lawyer Says He'll Still Make His Case
- Oct. 18, 2010: Justice Dept. Enters Murfreesboro Mosque Controversy
- Sep. 21, 2010: Bizarre Murfreesboro Mosque Confrontation Caught On Tape
- Sep. 11, 2010: Animal Rights Group Promotes Compassion for Murfreesboro Mosque
- Sep. 6, 2010: Murfreesboro Mosque Site Neighbors Moving Out
- Aug. 12, 2010: Commissioners Hear More About Murfreesboro Mosque
- June 25, 2010: Candidate Denounces Murfreesboro Mosque Proposal
- June 24, 2010: Murfreesboro Mosque Supporters Have Their Voices Heard
- May 20, 2011: Building Permit Obtained For Murfreesboro Mosque
- Nov. 15, 2010: Defense Rests In Murfreesboro Mosque Hearing
- Nov. 12, 2010: Plaintiffs Rest In Murfreesboro Mosque Hearing
(The Associated Press Contributed To This Report.)
