Bluford vs. Canada, Civil Action No. 128: Motion for Directed Verdict on Count 1 and Motion to Dismiss Counts 2 and 3

Motion for directed verdict on Count 1 and motions to dismiss Counts 2 and 3 in Civil Case No. 128: Lucile Bluford v. S.W. Canada. The defense team moves the court to direct the jury to return a verdict against the plaintiff in Count 1 of the amended complaint, arguing that evidence is insufficient to prove the claims, that there is no evidence Bluford applied to Lincoln University in time for the university to establish a graduate journalism program, that University of Missouri registrar Canada acted in accordance with state law in refusing Bluford registration, and other points. The defense also moves to dismiss Count 2, arguing that the plaintiff failed to state a claim upon which relief can be granted, and stating that the claim is now moot since the graduate journalism program at MU was discontinued in January of 1942. They also move to dismiss Count 3, arguing the same reasons as above. At the time, Bluford was the managing editor of the Kansas City Call and her effort to gain admittance to the masters degree program at MU's School of Journalism, and repeated denials due to her race, lead to a a series of lawsuits that eventually reached the Missouri Supreme Court.