BENTON – Siblings Jayson Bull and Angie Roberts oppose each other in suing Madison County over the death of their brother Mark Bull in county jail after he allegedly hit his head while experiencing drug withdrawal symptoms.
Jayson Bull sued the county, former Sheriff John Lakin, and Advanced Correctional Health Care, identifying himself as special administrator of Mark Bull’s estate.
Roberts has moved to intervene, identifying herself as independent administrator.
She claimed Bull couldn’t act as independent administrator due to a criminal history.
The conflict awaits resolution by U.S. District Judge Staci Yandle.
Mark Bull died last June 29.
Ted Gianaris of Alton and Suvir Dhar of Frontenac in St. Louis County filed Jayson Bull’s complaint in Madison County Circuit Court on March 6.
They claimed officers took Mark Bull to jail last June 14.
They claimed jail officers should have known he struggled with heroin addiction and should have been aware of withdrawal symptoms.
He allegedly reported he was “dope sick,” and officers told him to drink water.
Gianaris and Suvir claimed staff didn’t contact his doctor or his family, and medical staff didn’t check on him.
They claimed he passed out on June 28, and his head hit the floor.
Jail staff transferred Mark Bull to Anderson Hospital, where doctors determined he suffered from sustained internal bleeding, heart attacks, and an ulcer.
Advanced Correctional Health Care removed the complaint to district court on April 14, asserting diverse citizenship as a Tennessee business.
Louis Meyer of Peoria filed an intervention motion for Roberts on April 21, stating she was appointed as independent administrator in January.
Meyer claimed Jayson Bull could not fully represent or protect the estate, and its interest would be impaired if the court didn’t permit intervention.
He added that Jayson Bull was ineligible as independent administrator due to a prior felony conviction.
He claimed Roberts collected medical records, coroner reports, and witness statements.
“At the time of the filing of this motion, the Illinois state police have an open investigation into the circumstances of Mark’s death,” he wrote.
Meyer claimed Roberts had no prior notification that Jayson Bull was going to file a lawsuit.
He claimed Jayson Bull’s motion for appointment as special administrator didn’t list Roberts or Mark Bull’s other brother Randy Bull as siblings and heirs of the estate.
“He only mentions himself and the possibility of children that may or may not be children of Mark T. Bull,” he wrote.
“It is self evident that Angie Roberts’ and Randy Bull’s respective interests in Mark T. Bull’s estate would not only be impaired, but may be wiped out, by their conspicuous absence from the suit,” he added.
“Additionally, he alleges that the children may also be entitled to recovery with no supporting evidence that they are in fact Mark T. Bull’s children or that their mothers or guardians nominated Jayson Bull to represent their interests in this suit,” Meyer continued.
Daniel Kiss of Peoria entered an appearance in association with Meyer on April 30.
Heidi Eckert of Clayton, Missouri represents the county.
James Borland and Peter Jennetten of Springfield represent Advanced Correctional Health Care.