ATLANTA (LALATE) – Bishop Eddie Long has a trial date; a court gave Eddie Long a tentative July trial date during a status conference this week. Eddie Long was not present at the hearing.

Long, New Birth Missionary Baptist Church and Longfellows Youth Academy were given a tentative July 7 trial date reported WSB-TV News. Attorneys were for all four plaintiffs and all defendants were present at the status conference.

Bishop Eddie Long Pictures Released by Plaintiff’s Attorney
Bishop Eddie Long Photo 1
Bishop Eddie Long Photo 2

The status conference was closed to the public; but counsel for both sides spoke to the news media after the conference. Despite initial statements by Long’s reps that they would not comment extensively about the case in the news media, such was not the case this week.

One of the defense counsels, attorney William Hill, told news that the parties sought and received an earlier mediation. “The case could benefit from early mediation,” said Hill.

One issue still unresolved is if the Court will combine the four cases for trial. “The court can see from each of the complaints they are detailed complaints as to what the acts and allegations that are complained of by our clients,” said B.J. Bernstein.

Bishop Eddie Long Plaintiffs Set 1
Eddie Long Plaintiffs Photos 1
Eddie Long Plaintiffs Photos 2
Eddie Long Plaintiffs Photos 3

Meantime, Long’s media buys have been prompting controversy.

First, Long appeared this winter in a billboard advertisement which read in all caps the message “LOVE, LIVE, LEAD LIKE HIM”. The text appeared next to a flexing Eddie Long appearing without his hairpiece but in a form-fitting shirt. “I wouldn’t do the way he is doing like he is doing like….” said one resident when interviewed by WTVM.

Second, Gospel Today owner Teresa Hairston prompted controversy for putting Long on the cover of their November/December issue. “Gospel Today did not explore the legalities or the issues; we presented a biblical perspective-something no other outlet gave,” said Hairston.