Tobacco attorneys lost two major appeals in the State's lawsuit yesterday (Thursday). Ramsey County's chief judge denied the industry's request to remove Judge Kenneth Fitzpatrick from the case; and the State Supreme Court upheld penalities against one of the companies for failing to produce two witnesses. Minnesota Public Radio's Elizabeth Stawicki reports: In his ruling, Ramsey County Chief Judge Lawrence Cohen said Judge Kenneth Fitzpatrick had conducted the tobacco case in a fair and even-handed manner . The tobacco industry had claimed Fitzpatrick was biased against it in jury selection, rulings, and demeanor in the courtroom. The tobacco industry has appealed 18 of Fitzpatrick's rulings and has lost all 18 including 2 appeals to the U-S Supreme Court.