1898 In France, influential writer Emile Zola was imprisoned for his letter, “J’accuse,” which was published on the front page of the local newspaper. The letter accused the government of anti-Semitism and wrongfully jailing Alfred Dreyfus, a French army general officer who was sentenced to life for espionage. Zola was found guilty of libel and fled to England to avoid punishment. 1993 Actor Gary Coleman won a $1.28 million verdict against his parents and business adviser for misappropriating his …