FOR IMMEDIATE NEWS RELEASE

NEWS RELEASE # 063

FROM: CLERK OF SUPREME COURT OF LOUISIANA

The opinion handed down on the 1st day of July, 1997 , is as follows:

BY KIMBALL, J.:

96-CC- 0322 CLEMENT F. PERSCHALL, JR. v. THE STATE OF LOUISIANA

(Parish of East Baton Rouge)

For these reasons, Act 512 is hereby declared unconstitutional in its entirety. We recognize the status quo shall remain intact, and this court, as it is currently composed and operating, shall continue to function as a de jure court under the Chisom Consent Judgment, which decree is under the continuing jurisdiction of the United States for the Eastern District of Louisiana.

It is so ordered

Chief Judge Charles A. Marvin, Court of Appeal, Second Circuit, and Judge Freddie Pitcher, Jr., Court of Appeal, First Circuit, participating as associate justices ad hoc. Calogero, C.J., and Marcus and Johnson, JJ., recused. Panel composed of Lemmon, Kimball, Victory, Traylor, and Knoll, JJ., and Marvin and Pitcher, JJ. ad hoc.

PITCHER, J. - dissents.