SCLC #626 Brown v. Rutter · entitled to injunction, withheld, jurisdiction retained

Brown v. Rutter, 139 F. Supp. 679 (W.D. Ky. 1956). McCracken County: Black residents slightly >12% of population; over years only one Black person summoned. Officials customarily failed or refused to place Black names in the drum. District court said these facts entitled plaintiff to an injunction, but withheld it after officials expressed “desire and willingness” to comply, and retained jurisdiction.

Plaintiff’s lawyer later told a Commission representative practice improved immediately and permanently — his retrospective account, not an independent audit of rolls. Civil injunction by a prospective juror is distinct from a defendant’s conviction challenge and from DOJ criminal §243 prosecution of officials.

Primary: 61-006-U.pdf pp.100–102 notes 144–151 p.250. Original opinion/docket not independently inspected.