Plaintiff given more time to find new lawyer in wrongful burial suit

Kathleen Beecher-Miller has more time to find a new attorney to carry on her suit over the misidentification of her murdered son.

According to an order signed Dec. 10 by St. Clair County Circuit Judge Michael O'Malley, Beecher-Miller has 45 days to find new representation.

Beecher-Miller's former attorney, Gary Mack, withdrew from the case in August 2009.

She is suing the city of East St. Louis and Detective Michael Floore for allegedly misidentifying the body of her son and releasing it for burial to the wrong family.

Her son, Kenny Thomas Stainbeck, was murdered.

The misidentification came to light and Stainbeck was exhumed and reburied.

His mother seeks damages in excess of $100,000 for the emotional pain she claims to have suffered.

The defendants have moved to dismiss the suit.

O'Malley previously gave Beecher-Miller time to find an attorney in October 2009.

The case is set for a status conference Feb. 1 at 10 a.m.

The defendants are represented by Untress Quinn.

The case is St. Clair case number 09-L-081.