Ruth
Although Madison County Circuit Judge Dennis Ruth was scheduled to hear motions in a long-running rear-end accident suit, the judge instead the parties to work out what liens exist and set a hearing on those.
Plaintiff Walter Spearman, acting pro se, as well as defense attorneys, began conferring shortly before 10:30 a.m.
A hearing is now set to adjudicate the liens Jan. 22 at 10 a.m.
Spearman won a roughly $125,000 verdict in May, which was the second trial of his suit against Michael Sunley.
While Sunley's attorneys, Stephen Mudge and Tori Wells, had filed a move to enforce the suit's judgment, Dr. William Sprich filed a physician's lien in the suit.
Sprich's lien is one of several that are outstanding in the suit.
Spearman objects to it and indicated Friday that he would object to other liens filed in the case.
However, there was some confusion as to who the lien holders in the suit are.
Spearman sued Sunley for causing a neck injury when Sunley rear-ended Spearman's car.
The first verdict was thrown out by the appellate court because it only accounted for his medical costs.
The second verdict was reached in May and mirrored a proposed settlement Spearman rejected, according to Spearman's filings.
Spearman's last attorney, Rodney Caffey, withdrew from the suit in December, citing differences with his client. Spearman was previously represented by E. Robert Edmonds and David Hesi.
Sprich is represented by Thomas Keefe Jr. and Samantha Unsell.
The case is Madison case number 04-L-007.