WASHINGTON, DC, December 20 D.C. Superior Court Judge John Bayly had the president of the Confederate Memorial Association jailed for contempt of court yesterday.
Judge Bayly said he was taking the action against John Edward Hurley, who is also the director of the Confederate Memorial Hall museum and library in Downtown Washington, because he had failed to obey his previous order requiring that Hurley add new members to the organization's board of directors.
Hurley was released from custody after his attorney Edwin Harvey told the judge that Hurley could be expected to be in compliance with the court's order by January 23, the date the judge set for Hurley's next court appearance. The judge said that Hurley would also be required to pay $30,000 in costs at that time or he would be jailed again.
According to Hurley, the individuals the judge had ordered on the board had affiliations with Oliver North's Contra operations. "This and my ten years of litigation without a jury trial, made me take my stand," Hurley said.
The open house Christmas Party at Confederate Memorial Hall scheduled for Sunday afternoon, will now honor CMA attorney Harvey for securing Mr. Hurley's release.