Meanwhile, Espada Remains Restrained

ALBANY—The adjournment earlier this morning of the court case pertaining to the State Senate leadership struggle means that an order temporarily restraining State Senator Pedro Espada Jr. still stands.

That order, issued Thursday afternoon by Justice Karen Peters of the Appellate Division, remains in effect until Judge Thomas McNamara rules, which he said he will do Monday. Democrats claim it prevents Espada Jr. from acting as the Senate's temporary president, but Republicans note Peters's order cites a section of the State Constitution which only details gubernatorial succession. Democrats spun the ruling as much broader.

Regardless, Republican attorneys John Ciampoli and David Lewis said they will file a motion asking Peters to "dissolve" the restraining order. It's expected to happen sometime this afternoon, but it's unclear when Peters would make a decision.

UPDATE: A source familiar with the Republicans' legal strategy called to tell me they will not be contesting Peters's order, but rather will wait for McNamara rules on Monday.