LAS VEGAS (FOX5) -
The Nevada Supreme Court on Wednesday halted Clark County's controversial coroner's inquest hearings following an appeal from the union representing Las Vegas Metro police officers.
The temporary stay will delay the process until May 11.
The court's decision comes one day before the county was to move forward with its first inquest into an officer-involved shooting since the process was stalled in October 2010.
An appeal filed by the union claimed the inquests -- a process that determines if officers should be held responsible for citizen deaths -- was unconstitutional.
The controversial hearings were abandoned following two high-profile cases in 2010, and the Clark County Commission drafted new rules that drew the ire of union officials.
Thursday's inquest, which was expected to last two days, would have focused on the death of motorist Eduardo Lopez-Hernandez.
Lopez-Hernandez was stunned with a Taser after he was pulled over in August 2010. Authorities said he was resisting officers attempting to take him into custody.
Newly-appointed Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson has already said he believes officers acted "reasonably and lawfully" during the incident.
There are 19 cases -- including the Lopez-Hernandez case -- that are awaiting inquest hearings.
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