DOTHAN, Alabama -- A Dothan attorney isn't happy with the Christmas tree in the lobby of the Houston County Courthouse, and has filed requests to delay his cases until after the holidays or until the tree is removed.

The Dothan Eagle reports Billy Joe Sheffield II isn't opposed to the tree, but says the photographs of victims of crime hanging on the tree could influence jurors.

The tree was put up Tuesday by Pat Jones, who is the founder and president of the Southeast Alabama chapter of Victims of Crime and Leniency. The local VOCAL chapter was started by Jones in 1995 five years after her mother was murdered.

The tree now sits in the courthouse's first-floor lobby near the elevators.

Most of Sheffield's requests have been denied, although he is still waiting on the ruling on a couple of requests.