Judge sets trial date in border fence case
© 2008 The Associated Press
July 31, 2008, 1:59PM
BROWNSVILLE, Texas — A federal judge has set a March trial date for about 15 South Texas border fence condemnation lawsuits.

U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen set the trial date Thursday but seemed to hope that its deadlines would motivate the government and property owners to reach agreements.

While Hanen scheduled jury trials, he said he would consider the government's suggestion to establish a commission to settle land value disputes.

The trial schedule does not mean work on the border fence in Cameron County will miss Congress' end of year deadline, but Hanen did defer his decision on giving the government possession of contested lands until after August.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/tx/5917696.html