The portrait of Jesus that was hanging on the wall of the Slidell courthouse was unconstitutional and damages will be awarded to the person who brought the original complaint, a judge ruled Wednesday.

WWL-TV

The image of Jesus from a 16th Century Russian Orthodox Church sits in the Slidell courthouse.

Judge Ivan Lemelle said the original display of the picture was unconstitutional, though the ACLU, which backed the suit, said it was altered late in 2007 to include other historical pictures.

In a written opinion, Lemelle indicated that the altered display was able to stay.

“Plaintiffs’ primary purpose of altering or dismantling the display was achieved through the Defendants’ alteration of the display after the lawsuit was filed,” he wrote.  

ACLU Executive Director Marjorie R. Esman said the organization took the case “supporting the American ideal that Christians, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, atheists, agnostics – everyone should feel that our legal system is here to protect them.”

Lemelle awarded the plaintiff nominal damages and attorneys’ fees.