On This Date in Minnesota History: June 24

June 24, 1921 – Miss Florence Blomster, the first woman to serve on a petit jury* in Minnesota, conducted herself as if it were an every day matter with her in St. Paul court today. She was one of the 12 who hears the case of assault and battery against Fred Kraft. Miss Blomstar was “forelady” of the jury that deliberated an hour and then acquitted the defendant.

“I don’t like the job.” Miss Blomster declared after the verdict was returned and the jury excused. “Of course it was an interesting experience, but I do not care to serve on a jury again.

The usual profane talk accompanied the assault, but attorneys sought to avoid repetition of this although some of it necessarily came before the jury.

The case grew out of trouble with the metal strikers May 4, when Kraft, who was a special officer, was charged with having struck James J. Hammer, a striker, with a blackjack.

Miss Blomstar is bookkeeper.

The Minneapolis Morning Tribune; “Minnesota’s first Woman Petit Juror Doesn’t Like Job”; June 25, 1921; p. 1.

*A jury of 12 persons impaneled to try and to decide finally upon the facts at issue in causes for trial in a court - https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/petit%20jury

http://ffbmco.com/rob-schneider-is-a-courtroom-gavel/

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