The first court hearing for Bishop Eddie Long's sexual misconduct case was yesterday, and the one thing that seemed clear was all of the parties involved want to resolve the situation soon. Reports from Atlanta say the case is headed for "settlement talks". Lawyers for the bishop and the four young men who have filed suits against him said they want to avoid a trial and resolve the dispute in mediation by early next year.
During the hearing on Friday, both sides asked to have a mediator resolve the explosive allegations, and Judge Johnny Panos set a February date for mediation. If that doesn't bring a settlement, the first of possibly four separate trials could begin in July or August.
