Gay Bar Raid Case Put Off Until November

An Atlanta judge gave a defense attorney and prosecutor six week to resolve charges in the case of a gay bar raid last month -- otherwise a trial date will be set for early January.

Four of the eight defendants appeared in municipal court on Tuesday concerning charges related to dancing without a permit at the Atlanta Eagle bar. Defendants include the bar co-owner, three other staff members, and four dancers. Their arraignment was scheduled for November 3.

The decision to delay the arraignment for six weeks is unusual for Atlanta municipal court, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

"Defense attorney Alan Begner and assistant solicitor Mary Stansel said it was possible the case could be resolved before the November 3 arraignment," reported TheAtlanta Journal-Constitution. "While this case was put off for six weeks, usually matters in municipal court are rescheduled no more than 30 days later."

Some 25 police officers entered the Atlanta Eagle late on September 10 and detained 62 patrons for over one hour. Patrons said they were handcuffed, searched illegally, and subjected to antigay slurs.

The incident has galvanized the local gay community and become a lightning rod in the mayoral election.

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