The Event

After the grand jury was dismissed for lunch, Coates and the other jurors went to the courthouse cafeteria. Coates went through the line with the rest of the group, paying the manager and cafeteria operator, Francis Rathwick, for a hamburger, mashed potatoes, and coffee. As he was about to sit down, a manager informed him that he could not eat in the white-only dining area and directed him to the segregated section reserved for Black patrons. Coates stood perplexed; having previously served on a grand jury in a courthouse without a cafeteria, he was unaware that the segregated seating laws applied here.

Seeing that Coates was distraught, the manager sought advice from Francis Rathwick. Rathwick then consulted the Commonwealth Attorney Robert C. Fitzgerald, who noted that state law enforced the separation of diners. Coates was informed of the situation and told that if he did not find the segregated room comfortable, he could eat down the hall in the coatroom or the boiler room. Upon seeing that the designated room was cluttered and dingy, Coates refused.

Mr. Fitzgerald then requested that the manager refund Coates’ money. After accepting his refund, Coates sought out the presiding judge, Paul E. Brown, stating, “If I can’t get equal seating facilities for lunch, I won’t serve.” Judge Brown granted his request, removing his name from the jury list. Coates was later replaced by W. Bentley Henson.