Atheist lawsuit dismissed against Ten Commandments monument

Court said plaintiffs lacked standing

(OKLAHOMA CITY) – Attorney General Scott Pruitt announced a decision Tuesday on a lawsuit challenging a Ten Commandments monument at the Oklahoma State Capitol.

The district court dismissed the case brought by American Atheists, Inc. Attorney General Pruitt argued that the plaintiffs didn’t have merit or standing on the issue.

“This is another victory for the State of Oklahoma and one more affirmation that the Ten Commandments monument can remain on display at our State Capitol,” Attorney General Pruitt said.

“The historical relevance of the Ten Commandments and the role it played in the founding of our nation cannot be disputed," said Pruitt. "I commend Judge Cauthron’s decision to rule in the state’s favor.”

In September, an Oklahoma County judge also ruled in the state’s favor in a lawsuit brought by the ACLU.

The first monument went up at the Capitol in 2012. The second version was placed there in January after a man rammed the structure with a vehicle. He told police Satan made him do it.