Orleans Parish Criminal District Clerk Darren Lombard on Tuesday withdrew his bid to stop challenger Calvin Duncan from airing campaign ads declaring himself exonerated in a 1981 murder.

Kenneth Bordes, an attorney for Lombard, told Civil District Judge Omar Mason he was withdrawing a petition filed Oct. 1 for a temporary restraining order against Duncan and his campaign.

Bordes acknowledged it was filed a day too late under a state law that bars such petitions within 10 days of an election, which is this Saturday, Oct. 11.

Bordes described it as a "procedural defect," saying Lombard stands by his claims against Duncan, but that "we'd rather handle this in the public forum."

Mason agreed to grant the withdrawal of Lombard's claims but left open a counter-suit filed by Duncan, who l

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