Attorneys for Forsyth County and citizens suing the county over prayers before county commissioners' meetings are asking a federal court to hear oral arguments in the case.
In a joint motion filed yesterday, attorneys for both sides said that because the case involves "a significant dispute" over the interpretation of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, they believe that oral argument may help the court decide the case.
Three county residents sued Forsyth County in March 2007, asserting that the county was violating the First Amendment by allowing clergy to make references to Jesus in prayers given before meetings of the county commissioners. The county contends that it isn't showing preference for Christianity because of a sign-up policy in which religious groups can volunteer to deliver the prayer.
Both sides recently filed motions asking the court for summary judgment -- in other words, to rule on the case without putting the issue before a jury.
The two citizens remaining in the case against Forsyth are Janet Joyner and Constance Lynn Blackmon. They are being represented by the American Civil Liberties Union. The county's defense is being handled primarily by the Alliance Defense Fund.
Holliman has surgery as precaution
RALEIGH -- State Rep. Hugh Holliman, the chief sponsor of a newly passed law that will ban smoking in bars and restaurants, had surgery yesterday to remove part of his right lung.
Holliman, D-Davidson, is a two-time survivor of lung cancer who believes that his disease was caused by exposure to secondhand smoke. He is the majority leader in the House and is a vocal advocate for smoking restrictions, including the statewide ban that Gov. Bev Perdue signed into law last week. It will take effect in January.
During a routine doctor's visit, a small shadow was discovered on the lower lobe of Holliman's right lung, said Holliman's legislative assistant, Carol Bowers. His doctors don't believe that it is cancerous but wanted it removed as a precaution.
The surgery was conducted yesterday at Forsyth Medical Center, and Holliman was recovering in the intensive-care unit. He is expected to return to the General Assembly in about a week.
Suspect in killing found in Maryland
FREDERICK, Md. -- Police in Maryland say that a man charged with attempted first-degree murder in a North Carolina shooting has been arrested.
The Surry County Sheriff's Office contacted local police in Frederick, Md., on Friday because they thought that Oliver Coleman King, 25, of Mount Airy, N.C., who was wanted in a shooting a day earlier, might be there.
An arrest warrant charges King with attempted first-degree murder, assault with a deadly weapon and infliction of serious injury with intent to kill.
Frederick police say that officers found King's vehicle in the driveway of a relative's home in Frederick and that King surrendered after he spoke by phone with police.
Police say that King was served with a fugitive from justice warrant at the Frederick County Adult Detention Center, where he is awaiting an extradition hearing.
Three taken to hospital after fight
Two Winston-Salem men were shot and another stabbed during a fight at the Salem Gardens Apartments on Monday night, police said.
Police were called to the area about 8:40 p.m. They said they found Cherysh Slater, 20, of 11B Salem Gardens Drive, with a gunshot wound in his chest in front of building No. 19. Other officers found Bryan Clay III, 21, of 520 Lester Lane and Chris Crawley, 21, of 1212 Gray Ave. in a Jeep Cherokee at Reynolds Park Road and Peachtree Street. Bryan had a stab wound in the back and Crawley a gunshot wound in the lower abdomen.
All three men were taken to Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center. Police said that they all are expected to live.
The police said that Bryan, Crawley and others became involved in a fight with Slater and others in the parking lot at the apartment complex. They said that a .22-caliber rifle was recovered in the parking lot.
The investigation is continuing, police said.
Man shoots himself during standoff
ROCKY MOUNT -- Police say that a man who barricaded himself in a North Carolina house for nearly 20 hours shot himself as officers entered the home.
Thomas Rose, 22, was alive when he was taken to Nash General Hospital, a spokesman for the Nash County Sheriff's Office said. Hospital officials said that Rose was flown to another hospital in critical condition with a head wound. The standoff began Monday when officers tried to arrest Rose for a probation violation.
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