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MADISON - ST. CLAIR RECORD

Thursday, March 28, 2024

Testimony continues in plaintiff's case in Country Mutual fire pay-out trial

Ruth

Testimony continued in a trial over an insurance company's alleged refusal to pay out a September 2005 Granite City Fire claim.

The insurance company, Country Mutual, also is pursuing a counterclaim against plaintiff Brent Davis, claiming Davis intentionally set the blaze.

The fire's investigator testified into Tuesday afternoon.

The suit's trial will resume Wednesday morning.

Davis contends that after the fire, the insurance company refused to pay in full his claim for more than $309,000. That amount includes his home, car and personal belongings that he claimed were destroyed by the fire.

He is seeking over $300,000 in damages and costs.

Country Mutual denies that it is negligent and contends it does not have to pay out for a fire that was intentionally set.

A former plaintiff in the case, Lori Flowers, dropped out of the suit prior to trial.

Davis dropped his claims against Mike Morris, the man he claimed had made misleading statements to investigators about Davis' role in the fire.

David dropped Morris Monday just prior to trial.

Insurance agent Matt Crider, also named as a defendant in the suit, was dropped from the case last week.

Testimony wrapped up Monday at 4:30 p.m. The trial resumed at 9 a.m. Tuesday.

Madison County Circuit Judge Dennis Ruth presides.

Davis is represented by Anthony Bruning.

Country Mutual is represented by Douglas Richard and others.

The case is Madison case number 06-L-451.

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