Battle Over Miss North Carolina Crown Goes To Court

Rebekah Revels said she was forced to give up her crown in July after topless photos taken by her former fiance surfaced.

First runner-up Misty Clymer assumed the title of Miss North Carolina 2002, but last week, a Wake County judge temporarily returned the title to Revels.

Clymer's attorney believes his client should represent the state.

On Sunday, Robeson County Superior Court judge Gary Locklear issued a temporary restraining against the Miss America Organization on behalf of Revels.

The order requires the Miss America Organization to allow Revels to participate in series of events and appearances leading up to the final selection of Miss America at the national finals and to participate as a contestant in the national finals.

Locklear also ordered Revels' former fiance, Tosh Welch, not to show anyonetopless photographs he claims to have of her.

The temporary restraining order stems from a lawsuit filed by Revels against Welch and grants her request to have the pictures delivered to her lawyer. A hearing in the lawsuit is set for Sept. 10.

While Tuesday's hearing was expected to determine who will represent North Carolina in this year's Miss America Pageant, another court hearing is scheduled for Thursday in Robeson County regarding the restraining orders issued over the weekend.

The Miss America contestants are scheduled to be in Atlantic City, New Jersey on Sunday.