Oklahoma City Faces Trial Over Condemnation Procedure

Four years after its filing, a lawsuit accusing the city of Muskogee of depriving property owners of their rights without just compensation is set for trial.

The Muskogee Phoenix reports the trial will begin Wednesday before Creek County District Judge Douglas Golden. Officials say the trial will determine if the city followed legal procedures before the property was condemned and demolished in May 2006.

Property owners Deary and Esther Vaughn are seeking more than $1.9 million in damages. Assistant City Attorney Roy Tucker says because the city didn’t object to the lawsuit when it was filed, the issue of damages has been settled.

But Tucker maintains the city didn’t illegally take the property, as alleged by the Vaughns. Four other property owners have filed similar lawsuits against the city.