Tenant's guest sues owners after falling through porch railing

A man who fell 10 feet after the porch railing he leaned on gave way is suing the owners of a Troy residence where the incident occurred July 26.

Clay Stephenson, who claims he landed on his back, is seeking in excess of $50,000 for his injuries from Edward and Cynthia Fetter who own the two-story home at 111 Charter St.

Stephenson says he was a guest of the tenant who occupies the second floor, according to the complaint filed Sept. 29 in Madison County Circuit Court.

He claims the owners failed to keep the railing in proper repair in order to support people on the porch.

"They negligently and carelessly failed to warn the Plaintiff not to lean on the railing," the complaint states.

Stephenson is represented by John M. English of Kassly, Bone, English & Hillebrand of Belleville.