News from May 2006
Monday, May 8
9 a.m.
Callis' charge
The cynics among us would caution against taking tough talk by new Madison County Chief Judge Ann Callis too seriously.
First salvos?
To the editor:
Newspaper files emergency order to preserve expunged sexual assault case
The Belleville News-Democrat filed an emergency motion seeking an order to preserve a sexual assault case dismissed last week in Madison County Circuit Court.
Civil sexual complaint mired in secrecy
If the identities of parties involved in a sexual assault lawsuit filed April 21 in Madison County Circuit Court were known, "heads would spin," remarked an officer of the court bound by ethics from revealing anything more.
Supreme Court refuses to rehear Price v. Philip Morris
Justice Charles Freeman The Illinois Supreme Court announced today that it has refused to rehear Price v. Philip Morris, the $10.1 billion Madison County verdict it overturned in December.
Justices Charles Freeman and Thomas Kilbride dissented.
Schnuck's employee sues customer for running over him in parking lot
A Schnuck's employee filed a personal injury suit against Gregory Millsap of Alton, claiming that Millsap backed his 2000 Mazda into him while he was sweeping the parking lot at the Godfrey Schnuck's store on May 9, 2004.
New Lawsuits: Thursday, May 4
James Carroll v. Gregory Millsap
Motion to dismiss bankruptcy withdrawn by Peel
Gary Peel EAST ST. LOUIS – Bankruptcy trustee Carla Randolph and Deborah J. Peel, former wife of attorney Gary Peel, sealed their partnership at the U.S. courthouse May 1.
Just ask Gonzo: U-Haul case picked up by Thomas Maag
Reader: Last year you wrote about a man who was driving a U-haul truck from Florida to Illinois and was involved in an accident. He claimed that several components of the truck were defective.
Definition of 'until' gets defendant off class action hook
Founding father Thomas Lakin Once upon a time a Lakin Law Firm attorney could stroll into the Madison County courthouse with a shadowy client or a 156-year-old word trick, and magically come out on top.
Team Lakin could lose another class on summary judgment
Days after a Lakin Law Firm class action lawsuit remarkably bit the dust in Madison County Circuit Judge Nicholas Byron's court, another "manufactured" case aimed at the lending industry was targeted for the skids.
Son testifies his father died before tests performed
Two children who lost both parents in two years, sat in a Madison County courtroom Wednesday finishing the business their late mother started when she filed a wrongful death suit against Dr. Dolores Cantrell in 2004.
New 'ELL' chapter forming in Glen Carbon
A new chapter of "Earn It, Learn It or Lose It," a U.S. Constitution study group, is forming under the leadership of attorney Dayna Johnson in Glen Carbon.
New Lawsuits: Wednesday, May 3
Fresh from the courthouse:
Former railroad conductor files FELA and SAA suit
A Dupo man is suing his former employer Union Pacific Railroad Co. for injuries sustained while attempting to mount a railroad car.
Chief Judge Callis reins in judge shopping
One of the first orders of business for Madison County's new chief judge was to rein in "judge shopping" tactics employed by class action lawyers.
Beer deliverer injured at Bel Air Bowl files suit
A beer delivery man is suing Bel Air Bowl in Belleville for injuries sustained while descending a staircase during a delivery.
Madison County med mal trial to begin today
Madison County Circuit Judge Daniel Stack will preside over a medical malpractice trial scheduled to begin today.