SIOUX FALLS - A circuit judge says she might issue her decision within a couple of weeks in a libel lawsuit filed against the Sioux Falls Argus Leader and its executive editor, Randell Beck.

Judge Kathleen Caldwell of Sioux Falls heard arguments this past week during a court hearing and said her written ruling will be handed down "hopefully, within a couple weeks."

Dan Scott sued the newspaper over a July 15 column written by Beck. Scott, who was president of the Sioux Falls Development Foundation at the time, argues that his reputation was tarnished because many people were fooled by Beck into thinking that a letter of apology Beck wrote in Scott's name was for real.

Beck's column had included a fictitious apology from Scott for remarks he'd made in a June speech when he warned legislators not to hinder economic growth in Sioux Falls.

Lawyers for the Argus Leader want Caldwell to rule that Beck's column is protected by the U.S. Constitution.

Scott's lawyers said the case should go to a jury trial.