Jasper County Democrat, Volume 22, Number 93, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 February 1920 — STOCKTON GETS $2,000 JUDGMENT [ARTICLE]

STOCKTON GETS $2,000 JUDGMENT

Against 0. S. Makeover In Benton Circuit Court Saturday. DEFENDANT ASKS NEW TRIAL And Court Will Hear Argument in the Support of the Motion on March 23. The $50,000 damage case of Jay W. Stockton vs. former County Commissioner D. S. Makeever ended in the Benton circuit court Saturday in a judgment for plaintiff in the sum of $2,000. Defendant’s attorneys immediately filed motion for a new trial, and same was set for hearing on’ Meh. 23. Attorneys for the plaintiff express themselves as confident a new trial will not be granted, while just the opposite view is taken by defendant’s attorneys. The argument was completed at 11:15 Saturday forenoon and the court’s instructions to the jury were then given and the case went to the jury at b1:45. The verdict was returned in court at 1:30, the jury having ate dinner in the meantime, therefore the actual time taken to reach a verdict must have been very sihort. Nearly 50 witnesses were examined during the week the trial was in progress, most of tha witnesses being the same that were used in the perjury trial at Kentland against Mr.' Stockton In which he was acquitted 1 and out of which acquittal grew' this suit. Perhaps 25 witnesses .who had been summoned were not used. Mr. Stockton Wks represented by A. Halleck of Rensselaer, W. W. Lowery, of aad Elmore Barce of Mr. Makeever was represented by George Ai-'Williams and Moses Leopold of this city, W. H. Parklson bf Lafayette and Charles Snyder of Fowler. It was stated that Mr. Stockton was to, have another firm as his Fowler attorneys, and it was so published in both the Fowler papers, but it is reported that before entering the trial the • plaintiff wanted to have an understanding as to their fee, and that they wanted several thousand, dollars, and he refused to pay that sum and hired Attorney Barce instead.