BELLEVILLE – Local resident Sheila Austin allegedly hit Benton lawyer Ron Coffel’s head with a bottle of vodka, Coffel claims in a civil suit at St. Clair County circuit court.
Tom Keefe of Swansea filed the suit on May 24, claiming Austin attacked Coffel at Royal Palms resort in Phoenix on May 14.
Keefe claims that as a result of her actions Coffel suffered a concussion, blurred vision, lacerations to the face, a back injury, and a fractured wrist.
Keefe claims Austin acted with malice, and he sought punitive damages to deter similar misconduct.
He moved for default judgment in July, claiming Coffel served a summons and Austin didn’t answer.
Austin’s counsel Michael Reid moved to quash service, claiming there was no return of service in the file or attached to the motion.
He claims the motion didn’t identify who served her, or where, or the time of day.
He claims the only apparent incident occurred on June 7, when Austin was in court for trial on her request for an order of protection.
He claims parties are privileged from service in civil actions while in good faith attending upon the trial of a cause in court.
He attached a declaration from Austin that at the courthouse she thought she heard someone call her name.
“No one attempted to hand me any papers of any kind at this time,” Austin stated.
In August, Keefe responded that Associate Judge Tameeka Purchase determined Austin to be not credible at the hearing.
He attached an affidavit from Drew McClain, of Kevin McClain Investigations, stating he announced to Austin that the document would be waiting on a bench.
McClain stated that a bailiff confirmed with a supervisor that if Austin refused to take it, that was on her and it was a legal serve.
Circuit Judge Christopher Kolker quashed service, taking default off the table.
He set a hearing Sept. 22, and ordered Austin to appear in person.