NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- Parish and city officials won't appeal a judge's decision to award more than $42,000 in attorneys fees to the American Civil Liberties Union for a case challenging the legality of a religious icon in a Louisiana courthouse.

Judi Bottoni / Associated Press

Workers at the Slidell City Court House view the portraits of more than a dozen historic figures added to a courthouse display of Jesus.

St. Tammany Parish, the city of Slidell and the Slidell court's chief judge withdrew a notice of appeal on Friday without explaining why they don't want to challenge the award.

U.S. District Judge Ivan Lemelle ruled earlier this year that it was unconstitutional for a portrait of Jesus to hang alone in the foyer of a Slidell courthouse.

Lemelle also ruled last month that $42,739 is a reasonable amount to cover the ACLU's fees and costs in the case.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)