Man arrested for alleged physical confrontation with mother claims Granite City cop brutally beat him

A Madison County man has filed suit against the police officer who he claims brutally attacked him with a rubber night stick after arresting him.

William Cauble claims defendant Granite City Police Officer Karl Schultz visited his home on Jan. 5, 2011, to inquire about an alleged abandoned vehicle parked outside the residence. Once there, Schultz allegedly wrongfully accused Cauble of initiating a physical confrontation with his mother. Schultz proceeded to knock Cauble to the floor, to turn Cauble on his stomach and to handcuff Cauble, according to the complaint filed Jan. 3 in Madison County Circuit Court.

After Cauble and Schultz arrived at the police station, Schultz ordered Cauble onto the trunk of the patrol car, the suit states.

“Defendant Schultz then removed the handcuffs and, in a menacing and threatening manner, instructed Mr. Cauble to stand up and face him,” the complaint says. “Defendant Schultz violently and without cause or provocation struck Mr. Cauble in the face with a solid, black rubber stick that had a heavy solid core.

“Mr. Cauble fell to the floor of the police station garage, where Defendant Schultz violently and without cause or provocation began kicking and beating Mr. Cauble with the aforementioned rubber stick over his entire body.”

Because of the incident, Cauble claims he suffered from cuts, bruises, contusions and swelling; suffered severe pain and discomfort; and endured emotional distress and mental anguish.

Cauble alleges assault and battery against Schultz. He also named the Granite City Police Department as a defendant, saying it is liable for the actions of its employee.

In his complaint, Cauble is seeking actual and punitive damages of more than $50,000, plus other relief the court deems just.

Keith J. Schiller of The Law Office of Keith J. Schiller in St. Louis will be representing him.

Madison County Circuit Court case number: 13-L-14.