Viewing Norton - Cravens Libel Suit (1903).Norton - Cravens Libel Suit (1903).The libel suit County Commissioner Thomas F. Norton brought against Fay Cravens, the publisher of the Milaca Times, was tried in Mille Lacs County District Court in September 1903. Because Cravens's witnesses faltered in their testimony, Judge Luther L. Baxter directed a verdict on the issue of liability in favor of Norton, leaving to the jury the amount to award. But in a rare case of jury nullification, a verdict for Cravens was returned. After scouring the record and finding justification for the articles in dispute, Judge Baxter denied a motion for a new trail.
|