Man sues attacker after class reunion beating

Donald Nicholson claims he was viciously attacked while attending a class reunion at Blackmon's Plaza in East St. Louis, according to a lawsuit filed Oct. 27 in St. Clair County Circuit Court.

Nicholson is seeking in excess of $150,000 from Blackmon's and his attacker, Marquis Ramsey.

He claims Ramsey struck him repeatedly about his head and shoulders on June 15, causing permanent disfigurement and double vision. He claims he had to have multiple surgeries to his face and eyes and has lost enjoyment of life as a result of defendant's negligence.

Represented by Jarrod P. Beasley of Belleville, Nicholson claims Blackmon's is negligent because it knew or should have know of other incidents of violence against its patrons and that its place of business was in an area of high crime and violence.

"That the defendant had a duty to exercise reasonable care under the circumstances in protecting its invitees from attacks by other patrons in light of the fact that it knew or should have known of the prior incidents of violence and the high crime area where the nightclub is situated," the complaint states.