News from December 2006
Judge Stiehl gives Peel unwanted Christmas present
Gary Peel United States District Judge William Stiehl denied former Lakin lawyer Gary Peel's motion to suppress evidence on Dec. 22.
2006 Timeline: Newsmakers keep ink flowing
Carol Kugler The 2006 general election by far had the greatest impact on our courts here in the Metro-East. But before and after, lawsuits were filed, hearings were held, verdicts were reached, decisions were made.
Year in Review: Top stories and newsmakers of 2006
Tom Lakin With the direction of the Fifth Appellate Court at stake and several circuit judgeships in Madison and St. Clair counties sharply contested, the November election is The Record's clear choice as the top story of 2006. Voters spoke and Democratic candidates trounced Republicans, consistent with national sentiment.
Wackiest personal injury suits of 2006
Filing personal injury suits to remedy pain and mental anguish suffered in fateful accidents has become increasingly popular in our state courts.
Patchett has ties to Lakin class action club
St. Clair County taxpayers hired an outsider to clean up a mess their judges made with beer but the outsider has inside connections.
Year in Review: Prisoner lawsuits beg attention
Court access for all citizens, including convicts, is the bedrock of the American justice system.
The Record's most read stories in 2006
The following were the most well-read reports on the Record's website (www.madisonrecord.com or stclairrecord.com) in 2006:
Judge Callis 'Person of the Year'
Judge Callis For her commitment to restoring public confidence in the Madison County Couthouse, as well as the poise she displayed walking a political tightrope during a precarious judicial election cycle, our hats are off to the Record's 2006 Person of the Year.
Retired Florida worker migrates north to file asbestos suit
A Florida man diagnosed with mesothelioma filed suit in Madison County Circuit Court Dec. 21, claiming 111 defendant corporations are responsible for his illness.
Knee replacement malfunctions, company sued in Madison County
Jerry Linder filed suit against knee replacement manufacturer Smith & Nephew Oxinium in Madison County Circuit Court Dec. 18, claiming a knee replacement failed to function properly requiring him to get a second one.
Humiliation and stress claimed in retaliatory discharge suit
Lisa Abernathy filed a retaliatory discharge suit against Rosewood Care Center in Madison County Circuit Court Dec. 18, seeking damages in excess of $50,000.
Legal mal suit claims junkyard owner paid too much to settle
The owner of an Alton junkyard filed a legal malpractice suit against his former attorneys in Madison County Dec. 22, claiming they negligently failed to settle a case for $35,000, which led to a settlement that caused him to pay $155,000 more than he should have.
Keller Farms sues Caseyville for digging detention pond
Keller Farms has filed a $50,000 trespass lawsuit against the Village of Caseyville in St. Clair County Circuit Court claiming it wrongfully excavated a detention pond on its property.
Madison County Judge Heflin to hear Young's DUI case
Judge Janet Heflin Madison County Associate Circuit Judge Janet Heflin was appointed by the Illinois Administrative Office of the Court to preside over St. Clair County Circuit Judge Patrick Young's DUI case.
Topshooters and driver sued by injured woman
A St. Clair County woman injured on Route 158 in Columbia last year is suing the motorist who caused the accident claiming he drove under the influence of alcohol.
Rev. Scott files suit against motorcyclist
Rev. Johnny Scott, president of the East St. Louis NAACP, has filed suit against a motorcyclist who struck and severely injured him on a city street earlier this year.
Dec. 26-29
Alton & Southern
New Lawsuits: Friday, Dec. 22
Ken Edwards v. Raymond Stillwell and Nathan Anderson
Too slow going
It's encouraging to see the wheels of justice turn just a hint in the sordid, shocking case of Metro East super-plaintiff's lawyer Thomas Lakin.