first on decorahnews.com: Judge rules against the plaintiff in Corn Maze lawsuit

Sometimes not every court case turns out like those on television, with a quick conclusion just before the final commercials.

In a lawsuit filed because of a fundraising event at Decorah's Tranquility Corn Maze, Magistrate Sherry Nichols has ruled "the Court did not find either party to be entirely credible."

Cambridge, Iowa businessman Ralph Cory had sued corn maze operator James Bachmurski, contending Bachmurski owed Cory $5,000. At issue was a September 11th event at the corn maze that included fireworks, a band and a pork dinner that Cory provided.

When the event was over, Bachmurski wrote Cory a check for $2,000, but later stopped payment. In court Bachmurski testified "I did not hire Ralph." He claimed the person in charge of fireworks--Tom Rothwell-- was in charge of the costs of the pork dinner.

Nichols issued a ruling Friday that said without the testimony of Rothwell, she could not determine whether Bachmurski or Cory was telling the truth. And since the burden of proof lies with the plaintiff, she ruled in favor of the defendant, Bachmurski.

Two sources close to Cory said he is likely to appeal the ruling.