"Eagle Eight" Soon Head to Trial

By Jim Burress

Atlanta, GA – Last week, the Atlanta City Council tabled legislation to drop charges against eight employees arrested during a raid on a Midtown Gay bar. Now, it's likely the case will go to trial. WABE's Jim Burress reports.

Barring any last-minute reprieve, eight employees arrested during September's raid of the Atlanta Eagle will go to trial in two weeks, says their attorney, Alan Begner:

"I don't think it's going to be dropped. It seems to me that when the city is facing a civil rights action, it doesn't drop charges usually."

Following the controversial September raid, 19 patrons filed a civil lawsuit against the city. That is a separate case from the eight employees who were charged with code violations.

Begner says he expects to call 30 witnesses.

The trial is set for Feb. 4th in Atlanta Municipal Court before judge Crystal Gaines. There is no jury in municipal hearings. A call to the city's Solicitor General was not returned by deadline.

Jim Burress, WABE News.