An Orleans Parish judge dealt Beauregard monument supporters a setback today. Judge Kern Reese refused to issue the order, but he set a hearing for Wednesday.

From WDSU:
The Orleans Parish Civil District Court has denied a temporary restraining order for plaintiffs who are trying to stop the removal of the P.G.T. Beauregard monument at City Park.

Civil District Court Judge Kern Reese made the decision Monday afternoon after a group in support of the Confederate monuments in New Orleans filed the order.

Courthouse officials said there will still be a hearing Wednesday morning on the issue.

 The Beauregard momument’s ownership is under dispute. The Monumental Task Committee, which is a New Orleans preservationist organization, claimed that the P.G.T. Beauregard monument was located on the City Park grounds. That would exempt the monument from removal because City Park is state property and New Orleans city ordinances do not apply. It would save the Beauregard monument from removal.

The fact the judge refused to grant the protection order means that he’s not necessarily convinced that the Monumental Task Committee has a case. The MTC will have a steep mountain to climb if they’re going to convince Judge Reese of their case.

On the other hand, Reese is the same judge who ordered Mitch Landrieu under house arrest in the firefighters dispute. He can’t be called a stooge for Landrieu.