EAST ST. LOUIS - A Collinsville couple is suing Barnes-Jewish Hospital, alleging the hospital failed to maintain a sterile field when placing a lumbar drain. 

Herbert Koonce and Rosetta Koonce filed a complaint on July 18 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois against Barnes-Jewish Hospital, alleging it failed to exercise the requisite standard of care in treating patients.

According to the complaint, Herbert Koonce went to the defendant's facility on Aug. 31, 2015, and was later transferred to another facility. 

The plaintiffs allege the defendant failed to maintain a sterile field in which to place a lumbar drain and failed to clean and sanitize his body before the drain was placed. They allege he has suffered serious and permanent injuries as a result.

The plaintiffs request a trial by jury and seek damages of more than $50,000 and costs expended for this action. 

They are represented by John J. Hopkins of John J. Hopkins & Associates PC in Alton.

U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois case number 3:17-cv-00749

BELLEVILLE – A therapy company alleges a New Athens nursing home has failed to pay for its services.

Professional Therapy Services Inc. filed a complaint on July 12 in the St. Clair County Circuit Court against New Athens Home for the Aged, alleging failure to pay.

According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that on Sept. 1, 2007, Professional Therapy and New Athens entered into a contract wherein plaintiff would provide various types of therapy to the defendant's residents on a monthly basis. Over the next several years, the original contract was expanded and modified and the plaintiff continues to perform services as agreed, the suit states. 

However, beginning with the June 2016 billing, the defendant allegedly failed to pay the plaintiff. The plaintiff alleges $96,270.39 is due and owing. 

The plaintiff seeks judgment for the amount of $96,270.30 for costs, interest and attorney fees and for such other and further relief as the court deems just and equitable.

It is represented by P. Michael Read of Law Offices of P. Michael Read in Belleville.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 17-L-362

BENTON – A corporation alleges that it has spent more than $51 million cleaning contamination caused by a refinery in Hartford.

The Premcor Refining Group Inc. filed a complaint on July 13 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois against Apex Oil Co. Inc.; Atlantic Richfield Co.; ARCO Pipeline Co., et al., alleging the defendants violated the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act.

According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that since the start of the operations at a new crude oil refinery in Hartford in 1941, the defendants allegedly caused and/or contributed to the release of hazardous substances, contaminants, and/or other regulated toxic substances at and around the refinery. 

As a result, the plaintiff claims it has incurred response costs associated with addressing the hazardous substances at and around the refinery. 

The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks judgment for any costs, damages and liability incurred, interest on any money judgment, attorneys' fees, and such other and further relief as the court may deem just and proper. 

It is represented by James F. Bennett, James E. Crowe III and John D. Comerford of Down Bennett LLP in St. Louis and Mark C. Goldenberg and Ann Callis of Goldenberg, Heller & Antognoli PC in Edwardsville.

U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois case number 3:17-cv-00738-NJR-DGW

BENTON – A Union Pacific engineer alleges he was injured in Salem when he lost his footing on the stop of an engine. 

Bradley LeDure filed a complaint on July 13 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois against Union Pacific Railroad Co., alleging it violated the Federal Employers' Liability Act and Locomotive Inspection Act.

According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that on Aug. 12, 2016, he was working as an engineer when he lost his footing on the step of an engine operated by Union Pacific. 

As a result, he claims he sustained injuries to his knees, shoulders, spine, neck and head. 

LeDure claims the steps were in a worn and defective state and failed to contain sufficient traction to allow him to safely ascend and descend the steps. 

The plaintiff alleges Union Pacific failed to provide reasonably safe and suitable equipment and failed to maintain its locomotive parts and appurtenances in a condition that was safe to operate without unnecessary danger of personal injury.

The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks judgment in such sum which is fair and reasonable of more than $75,000, plus all applicable court costs, and such other further relief the court deems just and proper. 

He is represented by Nelson G. Wolff II, Andrew D. Schlichter and Mark A. Beatty II of Schlichter, Bogard & Denton LLP in St. Louis.

U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois case number 3:17-cv-00737-JPG-DGW

BELLEVILLE — An Illinois man is suing a trucking company and its owner for allegedly refusing to apply payments.

Darrell Thorpe filed a complaint on July 6 in the St. Clair County Circuit Court against Earl Henderson Trucking and Josh Kaburick, alleging they failed to comply with the terms of their contract for independent consulting services.

According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that the defendants offered to pay him $1,000 per week and a 30 percent commission for his services. 

Thorpe claims that he has performed all conditions of the contract but the defendants allegedly only paid him $49,787 of the $149,713.69 he says he is owed. 

The plaintiff alleges the defendants failed to comply with the terms of the contract and pay for the services rendered.

The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks judgment in an amount in excess of $50,000 and for costs of the action and all remedies allowed by law. 

He is represented by Ellen R. Burford of Burford Law Office in Granite City.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 17-L-954

St. Clair County Chief Judge Andrew Gleeson has been selected as a fellow of an early childhood development institute, according to an institute announcement released July 26.

Erikson Institute announced that Gleeson is among 22 judicial, political and civic leaders named in its inaugural class of the McCormick Foundation Executive Fellows program, according to the announcement. 

Gleeson and the other fellows are expected to participate in "executive-level, multi-day sessions that provide a comprehensive understanding of the long-term benefits of supporting early child development, helping them identify opportunities to effectively lead, intervene, and advocate on behalf of children and families in Illinois," the announcement said.

"Building a strong foundation for a child’s emotional, social, physical, and cognitive development begins in the home as well as in communities and schools, and it also requires a commitment from the social systems that affect their well-being," said the press release. "Through this new program, Erikson aims to engage leaders and decision-makers from many of those systems who influence policy, advocate for public resources, and shape the educational experience of children."

Gleeson, elected chief judge of the 20th Judicial Circuit in December, was appointed an associate judge in 2003 and elected as a circuit judge in 2012, according to his profile at the Erikson website. The 20th Judicial Circuit in Illinois is made up of Randolph, Monroe, St. Clair, Washington and Petty counties.

Gleeson presently serves in a major civil jury assignment, with duties that include major civil bench trials, asbestos litigation, and class action litigation, according to his profile. Gleeson is in his sixth year in the civil jury assignment, his first year as chief judge of 20th Judicial Circuit and 12th year as an adjunct professor at Southwestern Illinois College where he teaches litigation support for paralegals.

Gleeson has practiced law for 18 years and served as a public defender in St. Clair County. He is a past president of St. Clair County and East St. Louis bar associations.

Erikson's systematic approach to early childhood development is expected to launch on Aug. 9, according to the announcement. 

"Outstanding leadership from multiple disciplines is essential if we want to continue progress Illinois has made over decades toward building one of the strongest early learning systems in the nation," Robert R. McCormick Foundation education director Cornelia Grumman was quoted in the announcement. "The McCormick Foundation is happy to support Erikson’s effort to inform and fuel continued progress over the next decade."

SPRINGFIELD – More than 75 of Illinois’ 33,000 judges have been appointed to a number of Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA) committees and councils.

As current president of the ISBA, retired Cook County Judge Russ Hartigan made the appointments to the various committees and councils that each deal with a specific area of law.

“The judges serving on ISBA committees provide their expertise and experience towards helping the legal system by participating in teaching continuing legal education to lawyers and judges throughout the state, writing articles, and helping to draft legislation,” John Coady, president of the Illinois Judges Association, is quoted as saying in the Judges Association’s press release about the appointments.

The ISBA maintains more than 25 standing committees alongside 10 special committees. According to the press release, “These committees range from emphasizing diversity and promoting the delivery of legal services to those with low incomes through committees on different legal topics such as real estate and insurance law and one dedicated to providing law-related education to the public.”

Judges active in the ISBA come from all levels and parts of the state. Some that are not assigned to councils and committees are elected to serve on the ISBA Assembly or the Board of Governors, the latter of which is the ISBA’s main governing body, while the former is responsible for developing the Association’s policies. 

Judges currently serving on the Board include Cook County Judge Kenneth Wright, Marion County Judge Carey Gill, and Rockford Judge Elizabeth Rochford. Judges elected to serve on the Assembly include Cook County Judges Patrice Ball-Reed, Edna Turkington-Vidtora, Jessica O’Brien and Dennis Burke.

Among the councils to which judges were recently appointed is the Bench and Bar Section Council. Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice Lloyd Karmeier has long served on this council, while others include retired Judge Fred Foreman, Judge Brian McKillip of Wheaton, Judge Richard Tognarelli of Madison County, Appellate Justice Richard Goldenhersh of the Fifth District Appellate Court, Justice Michael Hyman of Cook County, and Justice Ann Jorgensen of DuPage County.

Goldenhersh will also sit on the Civil Practice and Procedure Section Council, alongside Rockford Judge Gene Doherty, Cook County Judge Leonard Murray, and Madison County Circuit Court Judge Barb Crowder. Meanwhile, Cook County Judges Grace Dickler and Andrea Schliefer, Kane County Judge Kevin Busch, and Madison County Judge Martin Mengarelli will sit on the Family Law Section Council.

BENTON – The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois has remanded a complaint filed by a Louisiana man who alleges he was wrongfully terminated following an accident.

According to the ruling written by Judge J. Phil Gilbert, the case should be remanded to the jurisdiction in which it was originally filed.

In October 2016, Edward Holmes filed suit at the Madison County Circuit Court alleging his Tulsa, Okla. employer Construction & Turnaround Services wrongfully terminated him in October 2015 in retaliation for seeking workers’ compensation benefits following a workplace injury. He also claims that two of his supervisors, Don Schexnider and Grant Dalton, "were responsible for his wrongful termination because, motivated by personal animosity, they inadequately investigated the situation and gave incomplete and inaccurate information to CTS about Holmes’ injury," the suit states.

He has sued each of them for intentional interference with economic advantage. In addition, Holmes alleges that defendant Aaron May, the union steward for Boilermakers Local 363, failed to give CTS information regarding Holmes’ injury, which led to CTS’s decision to fire Holmes.

"Holmes claims this also amounts to intentional interference with economic advantage," according to the court’s ruling.

CTS attempted to remove the case based on original diversity jurisdiction. CTS alleges that Holmes and Schexnider are citizens of Louisiana, Dalton is a citizen of Arkansas, and May is a citizen of Oklahoma.

The court found no cause for removal and remanded the case back to Madison County Circuit Court.

"This court has not yet invested substantial resources and energy in this case, which is in its early stages; responsive pleadings have not been filed, and discovery will not be complete for nearly four months,” Gilbert wrote. "Additionally, remanding this case would be the most efficient and fair way to resolve the remaining claims since Illinois state courts have more interest in administering and more expertise in applying state law issues like retaliatory discharge and intentional interference with economic advantage. Finally, there is no apparent inconvenience to either party in remanding this case to the forum where Holmes originally filed it."

BELLEVILLE – A woman alleges her late father's lung cancer and death were caused by decades of exposure to asbestos.

Lisa Pelkey, individually and as special administrator of the estate of Lawrence Gallop, deceased, filed a complaint on July 26 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against A.W. Chesterton Inc., AERCO International Inc., ALFA Laval Inc., et al. alleging negligence and other counts.

According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that between 1951 and 1991, during Gallop's employment as a laborer to various companies or during military service, he was exposed to and inhaled, ingested or otherwise absorbed asbestos fibers emanating from certain products of the defendants. The suit states Gallop was diagnosed with lung cancer on March 30 which ultimately led to his death on April 15, 2017. 

The plaintiff holds the defendants responsible because they allegedly failed to provide warnings to people working with or around the products, failed to provide adequate instructions on how avoid inhaling the asbestos and failed to conduct tests on the asbestos-containing products.

The plaintiff seeks judgment for actual and compensatory damages and punitive damages for misconduct and to deter similarly situated parties from committing like acts of misconduct in the future and for such other relief to which the court deems appropriate. She is represented by Randy L. Gori of Gori, Julian & Associates PC in Edwardsville.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 17-L-400

EDWARDSVILLE – A woman alleges she was injured in a collision in Alhambra Township.

Lina L. Berry filed a complaint on July 17 in the Madison County Circuit Court against Jillian K. Wrigley, alleging negligence.

According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that on Oct. 30, 2015, she was driving on Reding Road when the defendant collided with the driver's side of the her vehicle.

The plaintiff alleges Wrigley failed to keep a proper lookout, failed to decrease the speed of her vehicle, failed to maintain the brakes and failed to stop her vehicle in time to avoid collision.

The plaintiff seeks judgment in an amount of more than $50,000, plus costs of suit and any other relief deemed just. 

She is represented by John B. Raffaelle of John B. Raffaelle in Collinsville.

Madison County Circuit Court case number 17-L-1017

EDWARDSVILLE — An Illinois woman is suing a motorist for allegedly causing a collision on Interstate 255.

Tammy Morris filed a complaint on July 11 in the Madison County Circuit Court against Jasmine McMurray, alleging the defendant failed to operate her vehicle in a reasonably safe manner.

According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges she was struck by the defendant's vehicle while driving northbound on Interstate 255 on May 7, 2016. 

As a result, Morris claims she suffered physical injuries, loss of normal life and obtained medical expenses. 

The plaintiff alleges the defendant failed to reduce her speed and maneuver the vehicle to prevent the collision.

The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks judgment in an amount in excess of $50,000 plus costs expended and further relief the court considers just and proper. 

She is represented by Alan G. Pirtle and Lisa Tsacoumangos of Brown & Crouppen PC in St. Louis.

Madison County Circuit Court case number 17-L-978

BELLEVILLE — A woman claims she was injured when she fell in a hole allegedly left by a tree service company after removing a tree.

Alijah Sanders filed a complaint on July 17 in the St. Clair County Circuit Court against Greener Lawns Tree Services and The Housing Authority of the City of East St. Louis, doing business as Samuel Gompers Homes, alleging the defendants failed to keep its work area in a reasonably safe condition.

According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that on July 31, 2015, she walked through a common space to exit the premises and fell into a hole created by Greener Lawns Tree Service. The tree company had allegedly previously removed a tree and its stump from the common space. 

As a result, Sanders claims she suffered physical injuries, disability and incurred medical expenses. 

The plaintiff alleges the defendants failed to maintain common areas, failed to cover the hole so as not to allow a dangerous condition to exist and failed to warn of the hole.

The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks judgment in an amount greater than $50,000 plus cost of suit and any other further relief the court deems just and proper. 

She is represented by Lanny Darr of Darr Law Offices, Ltd. in Alton.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 17-L-373

BELLEVILLE — A passenger is suing two drivers for allegedly causing a collision.

Caleb Caperton filed a complaint on July 13 in the St. Clair County Circuit Court against Brittany Hash and Mond Salmond, alleging the defendants failed to exercise ordinary care in operating their vehicles.

According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that on July 14, 2015, he was a passenger in a vehicle being operated by Hash when the defendant allegedly crashed into another vehicle being operated by Salmond. 

As a result, Caperton claims he suffered physical injuries, pain and discomfort, and incurred medical expenses. 

The plaintiff alleges the defendants drove at an excessive rate of speed, failed to keep a careful lookout and violated the red traffic signal.

The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks judgment for damages that are fair and reasonable, plus costs expended and other relief as may be appropriate under the circumstances. 

He is represented by Aaron D. Lefton of Law Office of Jerome Lefton in St. Louis.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 17-L-364

BELLEVILLE — A man is suing a motorist for allegedly causing a collision in a work zone.

Joseph Nassif filed a complaint on Aug. 17 in the St. Clair County Circuit Court against Carol Clark, alleging she failed to operate her vehicle in a careful manner.

According to the complaint, the plaintiff alleges that on May 25, 2016, he was driving in a westerly direction to the south of the intersection between I-64, I-55 and I-70 and was slowed for congestion in a work zone when his vehicle was struck in the rear by Clark's vehicle. 

As a result, Nassif claims he suffered physical injuries, mental anguish and incurred medical expenses. 

The plaintiff alleges Clark failed to keep her vehicle under proper control, failed to reduce speed to maintain a safe speed while in a work zone and failed to keep a proper lookout for the vehicle in front of her.

The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks judgment in a sum in excess of $50,000, plus costs of action and any other further relief to which the court deems just and proper. 

He is represented by Bruce N. Cook of Cook, Ysursa, Bartholomew, Brauer & Shevlin, LTD. in Belleville.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 17-L-371

BELLEVILLE — A driver and passenger are suing a motorist and metro transit company for allegedly causing a collision by failing to obey a traffic control sign.

Jerold Darnell and Bonnie Darnell filed a complaint on Aug. 17 in the St. Clair County Circuit Court against Ja Nerra M. Nelson and Bi-State Development Agency, alleging the defendants failed to exercise ordinary care in operating their vehicle.

According to the complaint, the plaintiffs allege that on March 12, 2017, they were traveling in the center westbound lane of an Illinois highway when they were struck by Nelson's vehicle. The plaintiffs claim the defendant entered the intersection of the two streets that was not controlled by a traffic control sigh or light. 

As a result, the Darnells claims they suffered physical injuries, disabilities and incurred medical expenses. 

The plaintiffs allege Nelson failed to properly keep a lookout for traffic conditions ahead of her, operated her automobile at a speed too fast for conditions and failed to obey a traffic control sign.

The plaintiffs request a trial by jury and seek judgment in an amount in excess of $50,000, plus costs of suit and any other relief the court deems just and proper. 

They are represented by William P. Gavin of Gavin Law Firm, LLC in Belleville.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 17-L-370

JULY 10

DITECH FINANCIAL V STEPHANIE KIRKSEY; BLUFFVIEW MANORS HOMOWNERS ASSOCIATION, $149,000, 420 EDWIN DRIVE, DUPO. 17CH449

JULY 11

PROVIDENCE BANK V CHRISTOPHER NEUWALD; JESSICA TURNER, $64,000, 23 NORTH 31ST STREET, BELLEVILLE. 17CH451

JULY 14

OCWEN LOAN SERVICING V ERIN CHANCEY; RALPH CHANCEY; CYNTHIA CHANCEY, $33,203.21, 40 RUGBY DRIVE, BELLEVILLE. 17CH454

DELMAR FINANCIAL COMPANY V JEREMY AND BRIANA VALDEZ, $13,699.93, 1201RICHARD DRIVE, CAHOKIA. 17CH455

PNC BANK V BROOKLYN DUNIHOO, $88,334.70, 38 ARABELLE DRIVE, BELLEVILLE. 17CH456

JP MORGAN CHASE BANK V RACHEL AND MARK FEAZEL, $146,046.32, 410 S JACKSON ST, MILLSTADT. 17CH459

JULY 17

FEDERAL NATIONAL MORTGAGE ASSOCIATION/FANNIE MAE V DEONDRA AND DELANO MOSELY; MISTY VALLEY HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, $163,107.20, 638 WINTERGREEN DR, O’FALLON. 17CH460

BAYVIEW LOAN SERVICING, LLC V WILLIAM T. AND JERRI LYNN SMALL, $63,781.25, 1055 WATER STREET, CAHOKIA. 17CH461

DITECH FINANCIAL V ERIK AND MICHAEL GARRETT, $117,142.33, 405 WESTMINSTER AVENUE, O’FALLON. 17CH462

JULY 19

JP MORGAN CHASE BANK V DAWN R.ADAMS, $66,946.72, 710 W MADISON ST., O’FALLON. 17CH466

JULY 20

MIDFIRST BANK V SHANNON MCKISSICK; JULIUS MCKISSICK; RHODA MCKISSICK, $17,791.72, 1704 BRADY AVENUE, EAST SAINT LOUIS. 17CH467

JULY 26

OCEAN 18, LLC V DONALD AND STEPHANIE RAWLINS, $12,042.30, 26 ST GEORGE DRIVE, BELLEVILLE. 17CH474

JULY 3

BELLEVILLE

$16,000-1810-1814 LAURETTE LANE-DENNIS PL. BRUEGGEMAN TO CHRIS BLANDFORD   

$20,000-8500 OLD SAINT LOUIS ROAD    BELLEVILLE-LAURIE ANNE FERZACCA TO IMPERIOUS INVESTMENTS, LLC                                                                 

$79,900-1801, 1803, 1807 NORTH BELT EAST-ROBERT G. AND JUDITH A. NELSON TO BARBARA J. SMALLENBERGER                               

$90,000-3006 CELEBRATION PARK CIRCLE-SHENEE T. MCCOY TO CRAIG A. BURRELL          

$172,500-320 RING OF KERRY DRIVE-RICHARD AND KATHY SPEJEWSKI TO RICHARD JOSEPH HOLSTE, III    

$295,500-3521 STEINBERG FARM ROAD-FANNIE MAE TO BRIAN S. CLAY 

CAHOKIA

$21,000-448 GODIN AVENUE-JOHNNIE HEARTY TO RIVERSIDE PROPERTY INVEST, LLC

$25,000-1124 ST. HELENA AVENUE-1323 WEST MAIN, INC. TO RIVERSIDE PROPERTY INVEST, LLC                

$39,000-864 MILDRED AVENUE- AZA PROPERTIES LLC TO THE HABBAK FAMILY TRUST                                     

EAST SAINT LOUIS

$17,000-1500 SAINT LOUIS AVENUE-FANNIE MAE TO TROY SWANSON   

FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS

$102,000-109 BOUNTIFUL DRIVE- FULL MOON REAL ESTATE, INC. TO MICHAEL AND MARGARET HUFFMAN          

MASCOUTAH

$313,672-9721 QUAPAW COURT- KAPPERT CONSTRUCTION CO, INC TO ALEXANDER AND TANIA HARDT

MARISSA

$85,000-801 S EUCLID AVE-TIMOTHY D.RICHARDS TO LARRY AND LOLA COLEMAN            

$190,000-315 PINCKNEYVILLE RD- SHIRLEY J. WITTHOFT TO B & D MACHINE WORKS, INC.                                                                             

NEW BADEN

$67,000-206 WHITE OAK DR- CHRISTOPHER AND AIMEE L. ROADY TO JOSEPH AND CHRYSTAL DIENST       

O’FALLON                          

$82,000-212 WELLESLEY DRIVE-US BANK TO RICK R. PARKS                          

$177,500-105 PIN OAK LANE- SUNCHLAR M. RUST TO TERRENCE AND KELLY NEIGHBORS               

$228,000-764 BASSETT STREET- NORMAN P. WRIGHT AND YUGENIA PAULINO-WRIGHT TO BRADLEY E. RICHARDSON AND MONIQUE J. LYNCH              

$190,000-655 SHAMROCK DRIVE- PENNY SCOTT TO SAMANTHA ROSSEN                                               

SMITHTON

$190,000-5784 STONE VILLA DRIVE- CHARLES AND THERESA M. FOX TO JEFFREY W. MYERS AND SARA A. FOX      

SWANSEA          

$50,000-1704 SCHOBERT DR-FEDERAL HOME LOAN MORTGAGE TO SORRELL CHILDS                       

$365,000-159 LAKE LORRAINE DRIVE-ROBERT AND SHARON BIGGERS TO JAMES R. ROCHE

JULY 5

BELLEVILLE

$11,000-607 NORTH ILLINOIS STREET-ASSOCIATED BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION TO ROB CAMPBELL    

$50,000-1401 EAST MAIN STREET- JOY STENGER TO EDMAR HOMES LLC

$80,000-17 N. 18TH STREET- HOME TOWN LIVING, LLC. TO JT AND LORETTA WHITE

$97,500-7519 CLAYMONT COURT, UNIT 2- MICHELLE RENNER TO SHEREE RAZE                  

$109,000-7316 ARKE DRIVE- THOMAS KOVACH-ANTA TO BROOKE THOM

$150,000-316 NORTH OAK STREET- THOMAS AND PAULA HANISZEWSKI TO JULIANNA MARGARET PETERS AND SHARON ROCKWELL                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

$154,000-1516 BOUNTIFUL LANE- SAMANTHA J. GIES TO GAIL BUKLAD  

$160,000-146 DIANNE DRIVE - NORMA L. ROHLEDER, DECEASED TO DARWIN MICHAEL AND KATHY LORRAINE ROHLEDER                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

$182,000-2852 SMOKEHOUSE WAY- JENNIFER L. DICKERSON TO PATRICK MURPHY

$250,000-2406 BEN HOGAN COURT- TORE TRIBOUT TRUST AND ANNA TRIBOUT TRUST TO JASON AND SHARON CASTILLO                                            

CAHOKIA

$10,000-121 DONALD STREET-JERRY W. SUGG TO BRIAN CHRISTOPHER WEBB     

$48,500-865 SAINT CLETUS DR-US BANK TO TYJOHNEA BRUCE    

EAST SAINT LOUIS

$12,000-811 N. 72ND ST- FANNIE MAE TO NATASHA CHAVIS                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS

$51,500-1443 FIRST AVENUE- ALLAN C. KELLY, TRUSTEE AK LAND TRUST #100 TO JULIAN CHASTAIN         

$102,000-109 BOUNTIFUL DRIVE-FULL MOON REAL ESTATE, INC. TO MICHAEL AND MARGARET HUFFMAN                                           

LEBANON

$245,000-1213 BELLEVILLE STREET- CONSTANCE K. LAURIE TO MICHELLE ELLOWITZ                                                                                                                                                                          

MASCOUTAH

$76,321-312 SOUTH RAILWAY STREET- SECRETARY OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT TO ELIZABETH PATRICIA WAHLIG                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

O’FALLON

$123,500-401 EAST WASHINGTON STREET-EUGENE AND COURTNEY KING TO EIAN D. AND AMANDA K. WARMA                 

$147,000-1316 CROWN LANE -BETTY J. GREGOR TO DOUGLAS A. AND DENYSE M. BLANKENSHIP

$147,500-402 NORTH CHERRY STREET- BENJAMIN T. AND MEGAN E. TOON TO KEVIN D. AND BRANDI C. CONNOLLY                               

$197,500-809 DEER CREEK ROAD-SEAN AND CANDACE BASILE TO RYAN AND MARIE GOLF

$215,500-1064 CATALPA DRIVE O'FALLON-JOHN AND JULIE COY TO NATHAN R AND ELIZABETH A FILSON

$245,000-1213 ILLINI DRIVE- ROYCE AND MEGAN LIPPERT TO OBADIAH R. AND BRANDIE E. COLEBROOKE

$342,000-1100 NATURESCAPE COURT- ANDREW I. AND SARAH T. BECKETT TO DANIEL J. AND DANIELLE M. KULL                 

$399,900-437 MARBLETON CIRCLE-CHRISTOPHER AND CHRISTINE GOODING TO WENDELL RUSH

SHILOH

$218,000-3256 MILLBROOK DRIVE- ROBERT AND KATRINA BOLDIN TO ROBERT E. RHODES                                                                                                                                                                             

JULY 6

BELLEVILLE

$24,750-701 HECKER STREET- JANET HEARAN, EXECUTRIX OF ESTATE OF RAYMOND R. MAGIN, DECEASED TO HENRY PROPERTIES, INC.            

$84,900-208 AARON DRIVE- LEROY J. WECK BY BERNETTE M. WECK HIS ATTORNEY TO STEVEN AND CHRISTINE CHESEBRO          

$91,000-1308 SANDALWOOD DRIVE- JOHN M. CHESTER TO JOSUE S.MURILLO    

$116,000-313 RADCLIFF ROAD- CLAIRE M. CHATHAM TO ISHWAR D. YADAV

$148,000-533 SOUTH MISSOURI AVENUE- BRETT L. BALTZ TO DAVID KASTEN II AND JILLIAN LAFURIA

$189,900-3245 HUNTERS WAY- KATHY CADWELL TO MICHAEL AND CATHERINE DUNN                                    

$210,000-2329 PRO TOUR DRIVE- LADONNA AND TERRANCE CHRIST TO CODY S HAFELI  

$257,000-310 BERWICK CROSSING- JONATHON K AND JOCELYN HUBBARD TO KIMBERLY MILLS

$338,500-3205 SUNSET RIDGE BOULEVARD- CHARLES K. AND EDINA SIMONE WOODS TO RAS CLOSING SERVICES LLC                                                               

EAST SAINT LOUIS                                                           

$2,500-311 N 73RD ST- BANK OF AMERICA TO GLOBAL PREMIER ASSET MANAGEMENT, LLC                                         

FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS

$131,900-25 DEBRA DRIVE-EDWINA SETTLES TO GARY AND DEBRA ROBINSON    

$185,000-119 BROADSTONE DRIVE- CHRISTOPHER GAINES TO ADRIENNE GILMORE                                                                          

FREEBURG

$158,500-208 N EDISON STREET - LUCAS N AND JAMIE N SHOOK TO FAY FARTHING TRUST                             

$184,900-15 LAKEVIEW DRIVE- STEPHEN C. AND VICKI D. SIEVERS TO NATHAN KENT MCDONALD

MASCOUTAH

$50,000-506 ELM STREET- LINDA MURRAY, PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE TO SCOTT D MURRAY                                                                    

O’FALLON

$195,000-387 MACON COURT- TERRY AND JENNIFER TOPOUZOGLOU TO MATTHEW AND GINGER KRIEGER                           

$200,000-1069 RICHLAND PARK DRIVE, UNIT 9-B- THE PATRICIA ANN KEELEY LIVING TRUST TO JULIE A COMLEY

$220,000-609 WILDWOOD LANE- MICHAEL JOHN ROEL AND LAURIE JANE HINDE LECOURS TO CAMI L. MERCADO

$286,900-805 GREYSTONE PLACE- THOMAS AND SHERENE THOMSEN TO THOMAS AND MEGAN HEIDENRECH                     

$310,000-1429 VICTORIA SQUARE COURT- RAMSEY AND RASHUNDRAH COVINGTON TO BENJAMIN AND REBECCA CHESHER             

$340,000-749 NEWPORT LANE- TIMOTHY AND LISA BECKER TO THE EDWARD D. KNELL, JR REVOCABLE LIVING TRUST               

SHILOH

$270,639.09-2621 BEACON POINT COURT- FULFORD HOMES, LLC TO SARAH AND JAMES LEARY                                                                                                                                  

SMITHTON         

$35,000-5526 ALPINE PLACE DRIVE- D & F CONTRACTING, INC TO ROBERT AND DEE BLACKWELL                                                                 

$35,000-5523 AUTUMN ASH DRIVE- D & F CONTRACTING, INC TO PATRICIA MERTENS                                                                     

$145,500-3 ADAMS STREET- DENNIS AND TONI DAHM TO ANTHONY AND SARAH KOENIG                                                                             

SWANSEA                                                          

$4,500-3925 BEECHMONT CIRCLE- MARISSA L. DAMPF AND BRYCE HAMBELTON TO MARISSA L. DAMPF 

$153,000-10 META DRIVE- J.T. AND LORETTA L. WHITE TO CHELSEA WATSON                                                                      

JULY 7

BELLEVILLE

$34,500-605 RODENMEYER AVE - BARRY A BILLINGS TO KIMBERLY M. SHEWE       

$50,000-1004 SOUTH BELT WEST- JESSIE TRENT TO LYNN DALE THRELKELD                           

$76,000-1821 PAGE AVE- GEORGE AND MURIEL STRONG TO DONALD GEORGE COOK JR                                                                 

$82,000-6 MARCIA LYNN COURT- HECTOR AND SANDRA GONZALES TO NICOLE GRAY                                                      

$92,000-3331 ROLAND AVE- DOUGLAS PRICE TO MARGARET RIDDLE                                       

$109,000-1438 OWL CREEK LN- FEDERAL HOME LOAN MORTGAGE TO OLIVIA SAKYI

CAHOKIA

$9,500-1708 ANDREW DRIVE- P & B REAL ESTATE, LLC TO JMR HOLDINGS LLC                                                      

DUPO   

$33,000-110 FLORENCE AVE- JOSEPH WAYNE BECK TO RODNEY FULTS                                    

E CARONDOLET

$1,700,000.00-1957 ADAMS- DAVID AND DENNIS LEVIN TO CHARLES L, DENNIS R, MICHAEL H LINDHORST             

FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS

$68,000-15 CATHERINE DRIVE- AARON REEB TO HAL AND JUDY HOLLOWAY                                                                                          

$265,000-740 WILD HORSE CREEK DRIVE- MICHAEL AND TIFFANY SCHLAUTMAN TO JILLEAN CURIEL                          

LEBANON

$55,000-55 HARMON DRIVE- GINGER L JOHNSON EXECUTER OF THE ESTATE OF JUDITH A. OGDEN, DECEASED TO MATTHEW FARRIS                                                          

MASCOUTAH

$35,000-805 TANZANITE LANE- CAROLYN STUMPF, ET AL TO CNR, INC                                                                    

$37,500-801 TANZANITE LANE- CAROLYN STUMPF, ET AL TO CNR, INC                                                                    

$37,500-829 TANZANITE LANE- CAROLYN STUMPF, ET AL TO CNR, INC    

$177,000-116 FALLING LEAF WAY- LEE HATFIELD TO LATOYA M. EDWARDS           

$204,000-1227 LARKSPUR DRIVE- CHAD AND KRISTA DAVIDSON TO JOHN AND OLGA LINNANE   

$240,000-1131 BEECHCRAFT- NICHOLAS AND TARA HENKE TO JASON AND HEDDA FORQUER                       

NEW ATHENS

$80,000-8720 GOLDEN RULE MINE ROAD- KAY WACKER TO GARY AND DENA VASQUEZ                                                                                                  

O’FALLON

$65,000-213 EAGLE RIDGE- LINDA S. MEYER TRUST TO PHB CAPITAL, LLC               

$133,900-712 COUNTRY OAKS LANE- JOHN AND LUCITA TIGUE TO JEFFREY AND EMILY LUEKE                                                      

$159,000-211, 225 & 303 EAGLE RIDGE- DENNIS C. AND RUSSELL W. WIEMAN TO PHB CAPITAL, LLC          

$252,500-525 LONGFELLOW DRIVE- THOMAS AND LYNN CULLEN TO LAWRENCE T BATZ                                                 

$269,000-529 FROS COURT- MICHAEL AND REBECCA TUCKER TO BRANDON AND ANGELA LAURET                                                             

$303,000-121 SPYGLASS COURT - RAYMOND AND NIMFA VAN ZWIENEN TO ERIC AND JODY CADOTTE

$369,900-1150 WINDEMERE RUN- JOHN AND DALA PRATHER TO DAVID AND PAMELA KNIEPKAMP                                                                          

SWANSEA

$276,000-1818 CARRINGTON WAY- KATHLEEN L SCHARZ TO GLENNDON AND DOLORES PHILPOTT                                                             

SHILOH                                                

$35,000-2613 LAUREN LAKE DRIVE- DERRICK WILLIAM BREWER TO CNR, INC                                                                       

$111,800-804 PLANKWAY DRIVE- GARFIELD PROPERTIES, LLC TO TYLER A. JACKSON                                                                         

$216,000-804 BLUFF RIDGE LANE- FULFORD HOMES, LLC TO TYLER SULLIVAN AND KAILEY BACHNER-SULLIVAN                                                   

$259,500-1082 CROMWELL LANE- MARK AND ALISON MCCOY TO LOU EVANS ROSE                                                                                                                         

JULY 7

US BANK V STEVEN SCHMIDT, $116,485.29, 1639 25TH STREET, HIGHLAND.  17CH419

JULY 10

PENNYMAC LOAN SERVICING V RACHAEL AND JONATHAN RHODES, $117,212.07, 123 HAMPTON ST, BETHALTO. 17CH421

LAKEVIEW LOAN SERVICING, LLC V ROBERT AND DEBORAH STREET, $212,037.59, 537 LAKEVIEW ACRES, COLLINSVILLE. 17CH424

US BANK V JULIE FOWLER, $48,884.60, 307 S. AURORA ST, COLLINSVILLE. 17CH425

JULY 11

US BANK V ALAN TURNER, $49,211.35, 1309 2ND ST, COTTAGE HILLS. 17CH421

FREEDOM MORTGAGE V JASON AND VICTORIA PHILLIPS, $84,149.04, 2705 GRANDVIEW AVE, ALTON. 17CH423

CARRINGTON MORTGAGE SERVICES V JOSHUA CAMPBELL, $50,363.67, 2915 PALMER AVENUE, GRANITE CITY. 17CH426

JP MORGAN CHASE BANK V ALBINAS SAKALAUSKAS, $97,067.60, 604 WATCH HILL RD, COLLINSVILLE. 17CH427

JULY 12

DITECH FINANCIAL V PHILIP POLITE AND SANDRA HUBER, $131,731.67, 5 DEER PARK, DORSEY. 17CH428

DITECH FINANCIAL V JEFFREY AND SUSAN COTTER, $109, 594.19, 162 HAMPTON DRIVE, GLEN CARBON. 17CH429

THE BANK OF EDWARDSVILLE V JAMES KUDELKA, $64,520.15, 2514 HODGES AVE, GRANITE CITY. 17CH430

JULY 13

THE BANK OF EDWARDSVILLE V CAROL ANN SESSIONS, $28,273.07, 200 SOUTH PENNSYLVANIA, SOUTH ROXANA. 17CH431

THE BANK OF EDWARDSVILLE V RICHARD AND REBECCA LAMBERT, $110,529.35, 405 LINDENWOOD DR., TROY. 17CH432

DEUTSCHE BANK V CHARLES YARBER; UNKNOWN AND NONRECORDED CLAIMANTS, $26,121.55, 2601 MISSOURI AVENUE, GRANITE CITY. 17CH433

BANK OF AMERICA V CHRISTOPHER GAPINSKI; CITY OF ALTON; UNKNOWN CLAIMANTS, $89,976.49, 3433 ROBIN AVE, ALTON. 17CH434

LAKEVIEW LOAN SERVICING, LLC. V UNKNOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF ROBERT AUDRAIN, $17,541.46, 1833 SPRUCE STREET, GRANITE CITY. 17435

Illinois is surrounded by right-to-work states. Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Iowa, and Wisconsin all have right-to-work laws protecting employees from forced unionism – as do the majority of U.S. States, 28 in all.

We, however, are not a right-to-work state. We're in the minority, condemned to suffer the same long-term economic consequences endured by all members of that minority, thanks to unfriendly business climates created and perpetuated by self-serving union leaders and legislators.

For instance, in the three years following its 2012 enactment of a right-to-work law, Indiana added nearly 40,000 manufacturing jobs, while Illinois lost more than 2,000 (and another 2,000-plus when U.S. Steel laid off workers in Granite City).

The right-to-work laws in other states have not gone unchallenged, but they have withstood the challenges.

Indiana's law, which prohibits contracts requiring employees to maintain union membership or pay union dues, was upheld by the U.S. Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals in 2014. The Seventh Circuit rejected the union’s argument that the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) preempts the state law, concluding instead that it “permits state laws prohibiting agreements that require employees to pay representation fees.”

The judges also rejected the union's contention that the Indiana law violates their Fifth Amendment right not to have their private property (i.e., services) taken without just compensation, on the grounds that the federal law protecting their right to bargain exclusively with employers is just compensation for the NLRA-required representation of non-dues-paying workers.

Just last month, the Seventh Circuit upheld a Wisconsin right-to-work law modeled on the Indiana law that this same court had affirmed three years earlier.

The Seventh Circuit encompasses Indiana, Wisconsin, and Illinois, which means it will be the venue for appeal if a right-to-work law is ever passed in our state and, inevitably, challenged.

Getting such a law through our legislature may not be possible any time soon, but we should have one ready, modeled on Indiana's and Wsconsin's.

Witnesses to the murder of Carl Silas who at first accused David Fields of shooting him, shifted the blame to a stranger four hours later, according to reports of St. Clair County sheriff’s deputies. 

Jamie Lott, mother of Silas’s children, switched from crying that cousin “Day Day” (Fields) did it to saying she woke to gunshots and saw an unknown male in her room. 

Lott’s mother, Latisha Traylor, switched from saying she struggled with Fields for a long gun to saying she struggled with the unknown male. 

The reports show numerous contradictions in initial statements of four witnesses and confusion over the sequence and location of events. 

The statements suggest reliable vision, but the events occurred before dawn and no one said that anyone turned on any light. 

Fields awaits a murder trial in St. Clair County jail. 

After his indictment, state’s attorney Brendan Kelly filed misconduct charges against Circuit Judge Ron Duebbert at the state Judicial Inquiry Board. 

Fields spent time in prison and, upon release, briefly stayed at Duebbert’s home prior to Duebbert’s election last fall. 

Duebbert appeared before a grand jury for five minutes last month. 

Silas died on Dec. 30, in a Belleville apartment. 

Two bullets pierced the under side of his chin, passed through his tongue, and struck his brain. 

The bullets tracked upward and backward, suggesting that his chin was pointing straight up when he was struck. 

Someone called 911. 

Jamie Lott, mother of Silas’s children, would tell deputies she called. 

Her mother, Latisha Traylor, would tell them she called. 

The sheriff’s office dispatched patrol deputy Christopher Fitch. 

According to a report Fitch filed later that morning, Med Star emergency team members told him they had a deceased gunshot victim. 

He wrote that the team told him another male had facial injuries but refused transportation to a hospital.

Witness Jamie Lott 

Fitch approached the apartment and first found Lott. 

He had written a ticket charging her with a seat belt violation in 2014, and a ticket charging that she drove on a suspended license in 2015. 

He wrote in his report that she cried, “Day Day shot my boyfriend,” and, “He almost shot me and my baby.” 

He wrote that he asked her who Day Day was. 

“She said David Fields,” Fitch wrote. “He is my cousin.” 

He wrote that she stated she was sleeping with Carl and her baby. She stated she was awakened by the sound of a gunshot. She stated she saw a Black male in the doorway of the bedroom, with a black ski mask, holding what appeared to be a shotgun. 

“Jamie Lott stated the black male shot her boyfriend, she identified as Carl Silas, in the face while he was sleeping, made some motion with the gun, and said where’s the money, then fired a second shot at Carl Silas,” Fitch wrote. 

“Jamie Lott stated the black male then made another motion with the gun and fired a third shot at Silas.” 

He wrote that she stated she pleaded with him not to shoot her or her daughter. 

“Jamie Lott stated she looked into the shooter’s eyes and knew it was her cousin, David Fields,” he wrote. 

He wrote that she stated she called his name. She said, “Don’t do this. We are family.” 

Fitch wrote that she stated Fields yelled to the other suspect, “Come on, let’s go.” 

Fitch’s report had not previously mentioned another suspect. 

“Jamie Lott stated David Fields and the other unknown suspect left in an unknown direction,” he wrote.  

He wrote that she stated she didn’t know who the other suspect was. 

She identified him as a heavyset black male with some type of handgun. 

Fitch wrote that she stated Fields was at her residence the day before, talking to Silas “about doing armed robberies in the area.” 

“Jamie Lott stated David Fields was armed with a long gun when he was at the residence,” Fitch wrote. 

He wrote that she stated it was the gun he shot Silas with.

Witness Latisha Traylor 

Fitch spoke with Traylor, who stated she recognized the voice of the suspect with the long gun as her nephew David Fields. 

“Traylor stated she attempted to grab the long gun away from David Fields and they fell to the floor with Traylor cutting her hand on the barrel of the gun,” he wrote. 

He wrote that she stated Fields took her purse and fled.

Witness Raynard Parker 

Fitch spoke with witness Raynard Parker, who had blood on his face. 

He wrote that Parker stated he was sleeping with Traylor in the back bedroom. 

He wrote that Parker stated “an unknown male subject with a red bandana covering his face, armed with some type of handgun, either punched him or hit him in the face with the gun saying where’s the money.”

Witness video statements - Lott 

Around dawn, on video at the sheriff’s office, Lott told investigator Patrick York she was in bed with Silas and their daughter, age two. 

York wrote that she stated her baby was sleeping in a swing next to the bed. 

He wrote that she stated she was awakened by three quick shots. 

“Lott stated the gunman told her to get off the mother f---ing bed,” York wrote. 

“The gunman asked where’s the mother f---ing money, where the drugs. 

“David came into her room, pointed a gun at her, and asked her where the mother f---ing money.” 

In this account, Fields entered the room after Silas died. 

The rest of Lott’s statement focused strictly on Fields, and didn’t account for the actions or location of the other male until he left. 

York wrote that Lott stated she knew Fields by his voice and eyes. 

He wrote that she stated she started to grab her two year old, and Fields butt stroked her with the gun, which left a rectangular mark and a slight abrasion on her face. 

Lott stated Fields forced her out of the bedroom and sent her to the living room floor. 

York wrote that she stated she pleaded with Fields not to harm her or her babies. 

He wrote that she stated Fields went to her mother’s room and a struggle ensued with the gun. 

Lott, by her own account, didn’t seize the moment to rush to Silas and her children. 

Instead, she told York, she followed Fields to her mother’s room. 

York wrote that she stated she asked Fields, “You going to shoot your aunt?” 

He wrote that she stated Fields told the other male “let’s go,” and they left. 

“Lott stated she went back to her room and realized Carl was shot and appeared to be dead and her baby was covered in blood,” York wrote. 

“Lott stated David was wearing some type of mask,” he wrote. 

He wrote that she stated Carl would have given Fields whatever he wanted. She stated, “There was no reason for David to kill him.” 

He wrote that she stated she was unaware of any problems between them. She stated the other male was a heavier set black male she had never seen before. She stated both men wore black hoodies and black pants.

Traylor’s video statement 

Traylor told investigator Aaron Keeney she heard three shots from the next room. 

Keeney wrote that she stated she stepped out of her room and saw an unknown black male and Day Day standing in her daughter’s bedroom. 

“Traylor stated the unknown Black male pointed the shotgun at her,” Keeney wrote. 

“Traylor stated she grabbed the shotgun and fought with the unknown Black male.” 

He wrote that she stated the shotgun ripped a piece of skin from her hand. She stated the unknown male punched her and demanded money. She stated the unknown male followed her to her room where she gave him her purse. 

He wrote that she stated Fields wore a bandana covering his mouth.

He wrote that she stated Fields was at her residence the previous day around 2 p.m., speaking to Silas. She stated she felt tension between them. 

He wrote that she stated Fields wore the same clothes during the shooting that he wore the previous day. She stated after she gave her purse to the unknown male, she heard Fields say “let’s go.”

Parker’s video statement  

Keeney interviewed Parker, who stated he heard three shots. He stated that he and Traylor walked into the hallway. 

He wrote that Parker stated he saw two unknown black males with faces covered. 

“Parker stated he observed Traylor fighting with one of the unknown Black males in the living room,” Keeney wrote. 

He wrote that Parker stated the other male forced him into his room and stood over him on the bed. He stated the male demanded money and cannabis. He stated he gave the male his wallet containing about $25. 

He wrote that Parker stated the male punched him on the head and ordered him to lie on the floor in the living room.

 He wrote that Parker stated he lay there and watched them leave. He stated he later found his wallet in the apartment.

15-year-old witness  

Investigator York also interviewed Traylor’s son Michael, age 15. 

York wrote that Michael stated he slept on the couch every night. 

He wrote that Michael stated he was awake when “the door was forced open and two armed Black males came into the residence.” 

This account of the first moment ruins the whole narrative for Silas’s mother, Leisa Silas of Greenwood, Miss. 

She said last month that her son didn’t sleep deeply, and that he would have awakened as soon as the door opened, by force or not. 

According to York, the youth stated that the suspects forced him to the floor. 

York wrote that he stated he recognized one of them as Fields. 

He wrote that the youth stated the gunman entered Jamie and Carl’s room. 

“He heard two gunshots and then the armed subjects yelling give up the money and drugs,” York wrote. 

He wrote that the youth stated he heard Lott screaming and begging Fields not to shoot her or her child. 

He wrote that Fields was his cousin, and he knew his voice and eyes. 

Like his mother and sister, Michael placed the long gun in the stranger’s hands. 

“He heard his mother screaming and fighting over the gun with the unknown subject,” York wrote. 

He wrote that Michael stated all the people in the house were forced into the living room and ordered to the floor.  He stated the men left in an unknown direction. He stated Silas and Fields were together the day before. 

He wrote that Michael stated he heard them talking about getting Fields a gun. He stated a neighbor told him Silas and Fields had a disagreement the day before. 

He wrote that Michael stated he heard Fields talk to Silas about robbing his neighbor, and Carl refused to allow him. 

He wrote that Michael stated he never heard Fields and Silas argue. 

Pathologist report

Also that morning, pathologist Kamal Sabharwal of St. Louis County examined Silas. 

Sabharwal found on the right anterior aspect of the chin an entrance wound seven centimeters by two centimeters, or about three inches by an inch. 

He found it 18 centimeters below the crown of the head, about seven inches. 

He found on the right underside of the chin an entrance wound 1.3 centimeters by 1.3 centimeters, about half an inch by half an inch. 

That means the higher bullet left a wound about eight times as big as the lower one. 

Sabharwal found the lower wound 20 centimeters below the crown of the head, or about eight inches.  

He found both wounds 1.5 centimeters right of the midline, about half an inch. 

In other words, the second shot entered the chin less than an inch below the first and followed the same track. 

Strangely, the higher bullet left a wound about eight times as big as the lower one. 

Sabharwal found no soot or stippling around the wounds, which he would have found if the shots came from close range. 

He wrote that he recovered bullet fragments. 

Fields turned himself in later that day. 

Circuit Judge Robert Haida has not set trial. 

At a status conference on July 21, he said he could accommodate a trial within a year of Fields’s arrest. 

He set a status conference Sept. 15.  

The other alleged suspect has not been apprehended. In the early stages of the investigation, authorities stated that he murder weapon had not been recovered