St. Louis Injury Lawyer Blog

Last Thursday former Saline Township Supervisor Alvin Steiner was accused in yet another sexual misconduct suit. This suit marks the fifth brought against the former Township employee since January by women who claim that Steiner tried to grope and kiss them when they came to his office seeking financial aid.

According to the Belleville News-Democrat, the fourth woman to file a suit, Laura B. Barry, stated that she never followed up on her aide request because Steiner's original advances had made her too uncomfortable. The suit has also charged other Township employees were aware of Steiner's behavior but made no actions to report or prevent them.

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Two-year-old Amanda Runyon is still recovering after several weeks in the hospital and multiple surgeries. According to the Globe-Democrat, the toddler was brought to the hospital on March 1st after the child was vomiting and drifting in and out of consciousness. Authorities later revealed that the injuries occurred after days of abuse at the hands of the child's mother's boyfriend, 24-year-old Kraig Monroe.

Monroe was arrested in his trailer on the same afternoon the child was admitted to the hospital. Besides suffering from a broken arm and severe bruising, doctors were forced to remove ¼ of Runyon's intestines. Monroe is being charged with aggravated battery of a child. He is currently being held on $500,000 bail.

Continue reading "Edwardsville Illinois Toddler Seriously Injured After Days of Abuse" »

Last week, Medora teenager Andrew Ruyle, 18, filed charges against Shipman Mayor Daniel Barnett, 56 for an incident that occurred last July. Barnett, who also serves on the Shipman police force, pulled Ruyle over while he was driving an ATV on a public road. Ruyle claims Barnett cut in front of his vehicle at a high speed, causing Ruyle to break two fingers on the hand brake of the ATV. Aside from allegations that Barnett disregarded the teen's safety while making the stop, the suit also claims that the vehicle Barnett was operating was not marked as a police vehicle and that no sirens or lights were used while making the stop. Ruyle, who was one of two ATV operators that night, was charged with illegal operation of an ATV on a state highway but has not pleaded guilty.

As a result of the accident, Ruyle developed a staph infection in one of the injured fingers resulting in hospitalization and the threat that the finger may have to be amputated if it does not improve. The injury has resulted in 3 surgeries to date. While no court date has been set, Ruyle is seeking damages in excess of $50,000 to cover his injuries and medical expenses.

Continue reading "Medora Illinois Teen Files Lawsuit Against Shipman Mayor" »

The Madison County Coroner's office, headed by Stephen P. Noon, announced last week that it is establishing a multi-disciplinary team to help shed new light on the problem of elderly abuse. Comprised of members from law enforcement agencies, social services, law, and health care, the group is responsible for reviewing cases involving alleged exploitation, neglect or abuse of the elderly.

The coroner's office believes there are two benefits to such a team: identifying trends and information about abuse as well as examining cases more effectively because of the varying backgrounds of the team members. This team is the first of its kind in the area, and only the second in the state of Illinois. With a large elderly population living in Madison County, it seemed like the ideal place for the next review team.

According to the National Committee for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (NCPEA) elderly abuse can come in multiple forms. From physical abuse to psychological abuse, it is estimated that 4-6% of the elderly are abused nation wide.

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Problems with police arrests such as the one in Cambridge, Massuchesetts (involving a Harvard professor), can occur in local towns such as Collinsville, Illinois. There, a couple living in a beautiful subdivision, were subject to an unlawful search and arrest.

The Collinsville police had come to the house because of a loud music complaint. The couple had music playing in the livingroom with the windows open. Their teenage son was having a birthday party in the basement.

When the couple asked the police what they wanted, the police stated they were there for a noise complaint. The police had stepped into the house without permission. The homeowners asked the police to step outside to discuss the matter. The police refused.

When there was a noise from inside the house, the police, despite the protest of the owners, proceeded to search the basement and arrested underage drinkers. In the process the parents were arrested for obstructing justice and resisting arrest. Both parents were injured by the police and taken into custody in handcuffs.

Fortunately, the State dismissed the charges against the parents. A federal lawsuit ensued where the parents claimed violation of their Constitutional Rights, battery, trespass, and false imprisonment.

In cases such as this, the police only have a right to enter a home if they have a search warrant or probable cause that a crime is being committed. No person can be arrested without there being probable cause that they have committed a crime.

Without a warrant or probable cause, citizens have the right to sue for damages for violation of Federal Civil Rights as well as for State claims for battery, tresspass, and false imprisonment.

Continue reading "Collinsville, Illinois Police Sued for Unlawful Search and Arrest" »