OCALA – After nearly a decade of litigation, a Florida federal court has ruled that a prayer vigil which took place during a rash of shootings in the City of Ocala in 2014, violated the Establishment Clause of the U.S. Constitution.

U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida Judge Timothy J. Corrigan issued the ruling on June 26, in a suit first filed by Art Rojas, Lucinda Hale, Daniel Hale and Frances Jean Porgal on Nov. 24, 2014, versus the City.

(Plaintiffs Daniel Hale and Porgal passed away during the pendency of the case, leaving as Rojas and Lucinda Hale as the only plaintiffs.)