OT - Civil legal action in the old west ........

[J Miller]

My wife gets the ArcaMax Weird news and this was in it this morning. I thought it was very interesting that the criminal justice system couldn't deal with the James brothers for a long time, but they submitted to a civil court judgment.
Joe


Jesse James was sued in 1870 over horse
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (UPI) -- A Missouri lawyer has discovered documents detailing what is believed to be the only successful lawsuit brought against the 19th century gunslinger Jesse James.

Henry McDougal, who practiced in Daviess County, northeast of Kansas City, not only sued James and his brother, Frank, but also obtained a judgment, collected and lived to tell the tale, The Kansas City Star reported Monday.

Jim Muehlberger is the Kansas City lawyer who uncovered the documents detailing the litigation.

"It's an example of equal justice under the law," Muehlberger said. "The criminal justice system would be completely unable to deal with Jesse James for about 10 years. But here the system worked, in a civil case, through the courage of a very young lawyer."

In January 1870, McDougal, then 25, sued Jesse and Frank James, seeking compensation for a mare, saddle and bridle the brothers stole at gunpoint following a deadly bank heist.

The owner of the horse estimated his loss to be at about $223.50.

The James brothers retained an attorney and the legal battle lasted 21 months before it was resolved.




Copyright 2007 by United Press International

[kimwcook]

Cool. I like history like that.

[BlaineCGarverakaTubbyTuba]

Gives new meaning to the term "Blew a hole in the DA's Case"

[Ysabel Kid]

Gives new meaning to the term "Blew a hole in the DA's Case"

Ouch!