Fredericksburg judge delays slavery museum hearing

FREDERICKSBURG, Va. (AP) — A Fredericksburg judge has delayed a hearing that could clear the way for the city to auction the National Slavery Museum property.

The museum owes more than $300,000 in real estate taxes to the city.

Circuit Court Judge Gordon Willis was scheduled on Monday to hear a motion by attorneys for the city to appoint them as special commissioners for the sale of 38 acres gifted to the museum in 2002.

The Free Lance-Star (http://bit.ly/YdJYkO ) reports that Willis rescheduled the hearing for May 28.

The museum's attorney, Del. Joe Morrissey, requested the delay because he recently started representing the museum.

Founded by former Gov. Doug Wilder, the museum filed for bankruptcy last year to stop the city from selling the land.

Morrissey said attorneys are trying to resolve the matter.

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Information from: The Free Lance-Star, http://www.fredericksburg.com/