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From: turano@silver.DEC (Tom Turano  DTN 231- [Office 4735, Lab 6978])
Newsgroups: net.legal
Subject: Re: John Doe
Message-ID: <3150@decwrl.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 6-Aug-84 12:35:40 EDT
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Posted: Mon Aug  6 12:35:40 1984
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According to Black's Law Dictionary 5th edition, " The name "John Doe"
is, and for some centuries has been, used in legal proceedings as a 
fictitious name to designate a party until his real name can be 
ascertained. State v. Rossignol, 22 Wash.2d 19, 153 P.2d 882, 885"

Perhaps if those who are interested in its origin look up State versus
Rossignol in the 2nd series of West's Pacific Reporter vol 153 pages
882 and 885, you might find a reference, since its usage is probably
explained in the court's decision.

Tom Turano
Laboratory Data Products
Digital Equipment Corporation
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