A legal case that could put Shawnee County in the cemetery business took a step forward Monday.

Shawnee County Commissioners voted to take BLX capital out of proceedings against the company that owned and managed West Lawn cemetery, at I-70 and Auburn Road. The Attorney General's office is pursing action against Mike Graham and Associates on alleged upkeep and money violations. BLX financed a more than $2 million mortgage for Graham. In exchange for being dropped from the suit, BLX won't go after the county to get the money repaid.

Assistant County Counselor Shawn Leisinger says removing BLX from the suit takes a lot off issues off the table that could have legitimately tied up the case in court for a long time. He says with those out of the picture, the litigation can now focus on the alleged wrongdoing of Graham and Associates which launched the case in the first place.

Shawnee County already took over maintenance of West Lawn. If the AG's case is successful, the county would become the owner. A trial date isn't set yet.