de St. Romaine v. City of Seattle

Paul de St. Romaine, a well-educated Nepalese and a professional engineer, brought suit against the City of Seattle for false arrest which allegedly occurred on September 25, 1967. The trial was held on November 18, 1969, more than 2 years 'after the incident. The plaintiff, appearing pro se, sought to introduce written exhibits which the trial court denied. The trial judge then instructed him that he could give an oral narration of what happened but plaintiff indicated he could not proceed without the exhibits first being admitted. The trial court treated this refusal to proceed as, first, a…