Everyone knows the popular poem that starts "Twas the night before Christmas..." But few know for sure who the author was. It was first published in the Troy, NY Sentinel in 1837 and has been credited for shaping our view of Santa Claus and Christmas. It has been attributed to a poet named Clement Clark Moore and he claimed credit for it 14 years after the original publication. Although the Livingston family would argue that Major Henry Livingston was the true author. So in true New York fashion, they decided to go to court and hold a trial to finally settle the argument. Two of the popular local law families from the area agreed to argue the case. The public was invited, so we bundled up and headed off with Nathan, Rachel, and Bryson.
After a jury was selected from the audience, the lawyers gave their opening remarks and proceeded to lay out their arguments. The Livingston group had some very compelling, although circumstantial, arguments. The Moore group mostly cracked jokes and stood by Moore's claim of writing it. The final witnesses of Livingston and Moore were subpoenaed from beyond the grave to give their testimonies.
In the end it was a hung jury (big surprise there) and I guess they will have to retry it next Christmas time. I am guessing this was the 1st annual trial, and there will be more to come.
