News from 2004
This week in History
11/20/01-- Madison County Circuit Judge Ann Callis sentenced John Derr to 30 years in prison for beating a Bethalto bar and restaurant manager to death in 1992. The case went unsolved for five years until Derr's ex-wife told police she saw him with the victim's bowling ring.
Janet Heflin named new associate in Madison County
Janet Heflin Janet Heflin, an Edwardsville family law attorney, received at least five votes on a first ballot to become Madison County's newest Associate Judge.
New Lawsuits: Tuesday, Nov. 9
Fresh from the courthouse
Ford-tough legal team due in Madison County
Ford Motor Co.'s lawsuit-toughened legal team will be in the Metro-East again defending against plaintiff Kyle James' who claims a seatbelt malfunction caused him debilitating injuries. He is seeking in excess of $50,000 from Ford.
New Lawsuits: Monday, Nov. 8
Fresh from the courthouse
Gori, Earl vs. Merck & Co.
#04L-1254
Alton man files racial discrimination suit against bar owner
Charles Jordan of Alton filed a racial discrimination suit in Madison County Circuit Court Monday claiming that bar owner Van "Mac" Lenhardt refused to serve him at Mac's Timeout bar located at 317 Belle St. in Alton.
Stack doesn't dismiss, case moves to federal court
Jeffery Hebrank from Burroughs, Hepler, Broom, MacDonald, Hebrank, and True filed to have this case moved to federal court. Legal maneuvering by defense attorneys in an asbestos case resulted in another jury trial avoided in Madison County.
Toys R Us and Gibbs settle
After being evicted from her Collinsville apartment Sept. 15, class action plaintiff Connie Gibbs apparently received some good news when her case against former employer Toys-R-Us settled Oct. 22.
$1.39? Wal-Mart next in line for Peach
Ashley Peach, who has three pending class actions suits in Madison County, will be in court Nov. 24 for a case management conference in her suit against Wal-Mart. She has also sued Fashion Bug and K-Mart on similar charges that the retailers defrauded her on remaining gift card balances.
Toss the Philip Morris verdict
Just when you thought things might calm down around here, Madison County gets to revisit one of the cases that made it famous—Judge Nicholas Byron’s $10.1 billion class action whopper against Philip Morris.
After the storm
Matoesian Don't cry for him... Post-Election pandering... Plots... Attempts.. & the Tort Reform Tide.
Nov 8-12
Alton Belle
Tobacco Appeal on tap
Joseph Power Tillery, Power to tussle this week with Thompson and Philip Morris before Illinois Supreme Court
New Lawsuits: Friday, Nov. 5
Fresh from the courthouse
Karmeier win bellows resounding message
Newly elected Illinois Supreme Court Justice Lloyd Karmeier and wife, Mary, enjoy a moment on election night. Voters electing Washington County Circuit Judge Lloyd Karmeier to the Illinois Supreme Court sent a resounding message on Election Day.
Will a Maag shuffle thwart the will of voters?
Circuit Judge Anne Callis Will Gordon Maag, who lost retention to the 5th Appellate Court, resign his seat before his term expires Dec. 6 so that a Madison County Democrat can be ushered in?
This week in history
On Nov. 8, 1935, United Mine Workers chief John L. Lewis joined forces with a dozen fellow labor leaders to announce the creation of the Committee for Industrial Organization (CIO). An affiliate of the American Federation of Labor (AFL), the CIO was charged with pushing the cause for industrial unionism.
High stakes election has some reeling, many glowing
"The Supreme Court race was a referendum on the medical liability crisis. Voters in southern Illinois and the hospital community sent a clear message to the Governor, legislative leaders and rank-and-file lawmakers: Time is running out - doctors are leaving and patients are being harmed. Meaningful medical liability reform