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TAHLEQUAH, OK - The Judical Appeals Tribunal (JAT), the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma's (CNO) supreme court, will soon be handing down a decision concerning a lawsuit that may effect attenence and future attendence of tribal council meetings. A lawsuit was brought against 6 members of the CNO Council in an attempt to force their attendence. The decision concerns weather or not tribal council members are required, by the CNO Constitution, to attend meetings.

John Cripps, a CNO district court judge, ruled that the six boycotting councilors were required to attend meetings. Council member Paula Holder filed an appeal with the JAT.

The six council memebers have been boycotting meetings, charging that Chief Byrd is trying to destroy the Tribal Justice System and also obtain approval, for what they feel would be unconstitutional spending of tribal funds, through proposed council legislation.

The CNO Tribal Courthouse is located in downtown Tahlequah. Chief Joe Byrd shut the courthouse down two summers ago and then established district court in the Tribal Complex, which is Byrd's headquarters, located southwest of Tahlequah. Courthouse files were also conficated and relocated to the complex.

The JAT ruled that the makeshift district court was illegal, suspended the judges and ordered them taken off the payroll. Byrd continued to authorize court hearings and pay for the suspended jusdges.

The 15 council members, that make up the CNO Council are split, with a slim majority of seven, supporting Byrd and one obstaining member. JAT Justice Dowty and District Court Judge Cripps were appointed by Byrd recently, both hold hearings in the CNO's Courthouse.

Chief Justices Philip Viles Jr.and Justice Darrell Dowty both heard the testimony. Viles annouced last Wednesday that Dowty will be issuing an opinion in about a week to 10 days.

The Byrd administration has been the center of controversy and for over two years and is presently under federal investigation.