Judge Who Ruled Against Scouts Dies

Napoleon A. Jones Jr., the federal judge who ruled in 2003 that the Boy Scouts of America couldn't lease land owned by the city of San Diego, died December 12 of prostate cancer, the Los Angeles Times reports. He was 69.

Jones said that San Diego couldn't lease the land to the Scouts because the group, which bars gay leaders and requires members to swear an oath to God, is a religious group. The lease, he said, was a violation of the separation of church and state.

The ruling is under appeal.