MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (AP) - An attorney for opponents of a Murfreesboro mosque said in closing arguments that interested members of the public were not able to attend the meeting where the facility was approved because they didn't know about it.
The case seeks to stop construction of the mosque by voiding that meeting.
In their closing arguments Thursday, Rutherford County attorneys said officials did everything the law requires to advertise the May 2010 meeting. It was listed in the print and online editions of The Murfreesboro Post and agendas were available at county offices.
The state's expert on the Open Meetings Act, Elisha Hodge, testified that she believed notice was adequate.
But plaintiffs argued the true test was that few people actually attended the meeting.
Chancellor Robert Corlew did not immediately issue a ruling.
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Previous Stories:
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- June 24, 2010: Opposing sides come face-to-face at mosque rally
- June 24, 2010: Future Islamic center sign vandalized in Murfreesboro
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- June 17, 2010: Mosque approval last month stirs strong emotions
- Jan. 18, 2010: Vandals spray paint Murfreesboro Islamic center sign
- Nov. 2, 2011: Chancellor sets date for Murfreesboro mosque trial
- Sept. 29, 2011: Groundbreaking held for new Murfreesboro mosque
- Sept. 14, 2011: Mosque construction delayed after bids lacking
- Aug. 29, 2011: Judge upholds ruling in favor of mosque project
- May 19, 2011: Judge rules against plaintiffs in mosque suit
- March 10, 2011: Mosque opponents lose effort to get 31,000 emails
- Nov. 17, 2010: Rutherford Co. judge won't stop mosque construction
- Oct. 21, 2010: Plaintiffs' attorney questions mosque intention
- Oct. 20, 2010: More angry words as mosque hearing resumes
- Oct. 19, 2010: Court battle over Murfreesboro mosque to resume Wednesday
- Oct. 18, 2010: Feds file legal brief in support of Murfreesboro mosque
- Sept. 28, 2010: Mosque hearing focuses on site approval
- Sept. 27, 2010: Rutherford Co. judge considers stopping mosque construction
- Sept. 24, 2010: Rutherford Co. religious leaders unite in support of mosque
- Sept. 16, 2010: Mosque supporters gather at commissioners meeting
- Sept. 10, 2010: Local Muslims worry about anti-Islamic messages
- Sept. 3, 2010: Accelerants used to start mosque fire, Reward offered
- Aug. 31, 2010: Vigil held after latest incidents at mosque site
- Aug. 30, 2010: Gunshots heard near Murfreesboro Islamic center site
- Aug. 28, 2010: ATF investigates arson at mosque construction site
- Aug. 24, 2010: Murfreesboro mosque construction enters 2nd day
- Aug. 12, 2010: Proposed mosque brings threat of lawsuit to commissioners
- Aug. 4, 2010: Islamic center controversy could prompt zoning changes
- July 15, 2010: Billboard opposes Murfreesboro Islamic center
- June 26, 2010: Residents rally to show support for Islamic Center of Murfreesboro
- June 24, 2010: Opposing sides come face-to-face at mosque rally
- June 24, 2010: Future Islamic center sign vandalized in Murfreesboro
- June 18, 2010: Rutherford Co. mosque reaches out after neighbors' public outcry
- June 17, 2010: Mosque approval last month stirs strong emotions
- Jan. 18, 2010: Vandals spray paint Murfreesboro Islamic center sign