Abortion protester's personal injury suit settles

For $7,000, abortion protest leader Daniel Michael and Yale Enforcement Services of Belleville have settled a claim that a Yale guard injured Michael's nine-year-old daughter outside Hope Clinic for Women in Granite City.

Michael continues pursuing claims against Hope Clinic and Selma Owens Jr., for injuries Arielle Michael allegedly suffered in 2000.

Yale Enforcement Services attorney Heidi Eckert told Madison County Circuit Judge Daniel Stack that Yale and Michael made no promises except by a release.

Eckert wrote in a motion for good faith finding that, "…there is no collusion, bad faith or other improper motivation of any party to the proposed settlement."

She wrote that the release would discharge Yale from liability for contribution.

Stack approved the settlement Sept. 27.

Michael sued in 2002. Attorney Jason Craddock alleged that Owens, as a Yale security guard, violently struck Arielle Michael on the head with a blunt object.

Craddock alleged that Hope Clinic authorized and ratified the assault.

In an amended complaint he alleged that Owens shoved Arielle Michael.