National Baptist presidential vote moves forward

A judge has decided against halting the presidential election of the National Baptist Convention USA.

Wednesday's decision came in a lawsuit filed by the former leader of the affiliation of black Baptist churches, the Rev. Henry J. Lyons of Tampa, Fla.

Lyons is running for the office after being imprisoned for stealing millions from the denomination. His lawsuit claims that new bylaws on voting for the president violate the denomination's constitution.

D.C. Superior Court Judge Jeanette J. Clark denied two motions that would have blocked the election by the Nashville-based denomination. The election is scheduled for Thursday in Memphis.