[3][4][5] As decision of the Seventh Circuit, the case is binding precedent in Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin, and has been used as persuasive authority in other appellate and district courts.

[6] In 1967 Sylvester Harris was recruited by the mayor of Racine, Wisconsin, to serve as head of the Community Relations Division within the city's Police Department.

In January 1974, Harris was driving home from a nighttime basketball game in civilian attire, when he noticed traffic was stopped by three men who were standing in the street.

During the proceedings, Judge Harvey was asked about racial commentary he had made in public, specifically in his calling for the removal of that "black bastard" and "goddamned nigger" (referring to Harris) from the police force.

[11] The question to the jury was whether Judge Harvey undertook non-judicial acts which were motivated by racial bias and had inflicted injury on Harris.

As decision of the Seventh Circuit, the case is binding precedent in Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin, and has been used as persuasive authority in other appellate and district courts.

The San Francisco Chronicle gave the book a favorable review, calling it “The one man story of how the civil rights movement reached a dead end.