Court Turns Down Former Prosecutor In Libel Case

The Supreme Court has refused to revive a libel claim against the Chicago Tribune by a former prosecutor who accused the newspaper of a "witch hunt" against him.

The court on Monday turned down an appeal from former DuPage County, Ill., Assistant State's Attorney Thomas Knight. He argued that the paper defamed him in a front-page story in 1999 concerning allegations that Knight and several law enforcement officers framed a man for the rape and murder of a 10-year-old girl.

Knight and the others were acquitted of criminal charges. The alleged rapist also was acquitted after his third trial.

After Knight filed a libel lawsuit, a jury sided with the newspaper.