State v. Brown

The defendant, Jesse Brown, was convicted of the crime of coercion under 2 Mason Minn. St. 1927, § 10431. This appeal is from the judgment of the lower court.

The defendant was the owner of a building located in Minneapolis. In October, 1937, he rented a certain apartment to the complainant, Mrs. Smith, and her husband. The apartment was small, apparently consisting of only one room. The Smiths had complete control of it and maintained it as their home.

At the trial Mrs. Smith testified that her husband lost his wages through dissipation and was unable to pay the weekly rental due February 1.…