Cahokia and officer seek to strike exemplary damages in K-9 attack lawsuit

The Village of Cahokia and one of its officers seeks to strike a man’s request for exemplary damages in a dog attack lawsuit.

Defendants Elijah Moyers and the Village of Cahokia filed a joint motion to strike on Dec. 26, requesting Reginald King’s prayer for exemplary damages be stricken on the basis that it is “substantially insufficient in law.”

According to the complaint filed May 13, King claims he was riding his bicycle from a gas station to his home when officer Moyers allegedly stopped King and told him to walk his bicycle home.

King claims he protested, and as things escalated, officer Moyers handcuffed him and informed him that he was under arrest.

King alleges Officer Moyers opened the door to his squad car and unleashed his K-9 police dog.

Circuit Judge Vincent Lopinot continued a case management conference in the suit for Jan. 13 at 9 a.m.

King seeks a judgment of more than $100,000.

John M. Smith of Callis, Papa, Hale & Szewczyk in Granite City represents King.

Brian M. Funk of O’Halloran, Kosoff, Geitner & Cook LLC in Northbrook represents the defendants.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 13-L-253