NEW: Cavel must close at midnight

ROCKFORD - A federal judge ruled Thursday evening that Cavel International must cease operations at midnight Thursday, until a decision has been made by the Seventh Circuit Court as to whether attorneys from the Humane Society of the United States can intervene in the court case against the plant. J. Philip Calabrese, attorney for Cavel, had argued that Judge Frederick J. Capala had the authority to allow the plant to remain open during the Humane Society's appeal, since Capala had granted the original motion that allowed the plant to stay open during legal proceedings. Cavala ruled that he did not have jurisdiction to grant such a motion. Capala also turned down the state's motion for the trial itself to continue during the Humane Society's appeal.