Hylla
Madison County Circuit Judge David Hylla has denied summary judgment to a Godfrey tavern hoping to avoid a trial this week over its alleged violations of the state's Dram Shop Act.
Hylla held a pre-trial conference Sept. 3 in a case against Roper's Regal Beagle by plaintiff James Ceja.
Attorneys for the parties told Hylla the trial would likely last up to three days including jury selection.
The trial is set to begin at 9 a.m. today.
Ceja is suing the bar's owners, Regal Beagle Inc. for at least $50,000 in damages and costs.
He claims the bar violated the Dram Shop Act and allowed former co-defendant Michael Whittman to become drunk.
Ceja claims that Whittman then hit him, breaking bones in his face.
Whittman settled with Ceja in April.
The bar has a claim for set-off pending against Whittman.
Hylla had the motion for summary judgment under advisement from Aug. 20 until entering his order denying it Sept. 1.
The plaintiff is represented by Michael Glisson.
Regal Beagle is represented by Michael Hobin.
The case is Madison case number 08-L-1159.