The Divorce Case Slugfest
A bitter custody and alimony dispute turns physical in a Tacoma law office.
A sensational turn in the ongoing King divorce case developed this evening in Tacoma. Lawyer Marshall K. Snell, who represented Mrs. King, accused J. B. King of assaulting him in his office after Snell secured a divorce for Mrs. King on the grounds of cruelty. King was fined $10 for striking Snell. This evening, King provided his side of the story, claiming Snell invited him to his office and proposed a dishonest bargain where King could reduce his $50 monthly alimony payment if he funneled $25 per month to Snell. King says he refused the bribe. Later, King claims he returned to the office with a witness to confront Snell, who denied the proposition, leading King to slap Snell’s face before leaving.
“King says he decided to investigate, and meeting a friend took him as witness to Snell's office... King says he then slapped Snell's face and left the office.”
The intersection of legal fees, alimony, and interpersonal violence captures the high-stakes, deeply personal nature of divorce proceedings. This story reflects a time when public airing of private marital grievances was a standard, albeit scandalous, component of local reporting.
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