Belton v. City of Minneapolis

OPINION

CRIPPEN, Judge.

This case raises the question whether the unreasonable and inexcusable length of plaintiff’s delay, without a separate showing of substantial prejudice to defendant, is sufficient to support a judgment of dismissal for failure to prosecute. The trial court entered judgment dismissing with prejudice Ernestine Belton’s wrongful discharge claim against respondents. We affirm.

FACTS

Appellant Belton originally brought a federal court suit against respondents in 1975, alleging she had been wrongfully discharged from her employment. The parties engaged in extensive discovery and…