Judges recuse selves in mosque cemetery suit

Residents seeking to block permit

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Court records show that circuit judges in Rutherford County have recused themselves from hearing a lawsuit over a mosque cemetery.

A group of residents filed the suit after county officials approved a request from the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro that sought a permit for the cemetery.

Chancellor Robert Corlew II stepped down last month at the request of mosque attorney John Green.

The Daily News Journal reports that since then, all of the county’s circuit judges who would be eligible to hear the case also have recused themselves. They include Mark Rogers, Keith Siskin, David Bragg and Royce Taylor.

“So far there has not been a judge selected,” Green said during a phone i nterview Wednesday with the newspaper.

“My guess is that a senior judge might be appointed by the Administrative Office of the Courts.”

The plaintiffs, led by Bonnie Golczynski, cited concerns about possible water contamination and traffic in their lawsuit.

According to a statement in the court record, archaeologist Dan S. Allen says the site is a known karst area and may not have enough soil to adequately cover remains.

The county says it followed policies and procedures in granting approval for the cemetery and is asking that the suit be dismissed.