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Guard Suing Porter Bank
Shot in 2002, Keith Hill is seeking verdict to help pay for his medical bills.
Jason Miller
The News-Dispatch
PORTAGE - Like the man convicted of killing two tellers in the same bank robbery in which he was shot and paralyzed, Keith Hill is waiting.
But while Nasih Kahlil Ra'id is waiting to see if he'll die in the execution chamber at the federal prison in Terre Haute, Ind., Hill is waiting to see if he'll get at least something in return for the life he nearly gave up to protect his place of employment.
"We're still in discovery," said Hill's Portage attorney, Don Rice. "The bank is dragging its feet in giving us access to documents. Keith's deposition was taken five weeks ago. There probably won't even be a trial on this until next year at this time."
The lawsuit was filed in Porter County.
Ra'id, a Michigan City man formerly known as Odell Corley, is appealing the federal death sentence he was handed in 2005. The U.S. Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals still has to hear the case.
Hill was the first person shot in the deadly botched robbery of the Pines Branch of the First State Bank of Porter.
Ra'id was convicted and sentenced to death.
Hill is waiting to see what he can get from the bank he was guarding in August 2002, when Ra'id and accomplices burst into the bank and started shooting.
Rice filed the lawsuit some two years ago, and while he wouldn't comment on the amount of money Hill is asking for in the suit. But Rice did say his client is looking for enough money to help pay for his ongoing medical care.
"We're talking about
continuous, 16-hour-a-day medical care. It's extremely costly," Rice said. "When you project that out over the rest of his life, plus compensatory damages, it's a great deal of money."
While Rice said he's waiting to receive documents from the bank's attorney, Bruce Clark, he said the trial's slow pace is not unusual.
Clark agreed, but disagreed with the allegation he hasn't provided Rice with requested documents.
"Mr. Rice has never submitted requests for the production of documents," Clark said. "The defense has been very proactive in this matter. The proper way to request documents is through discovery. If he asks ... we will provide the proper answers."
Clark said the main reason for the delay is likely a backlog in the court system.
"This is a very unfortunate situation," Clark said. "We've definitely been very proactive in this. We worked very hard to get the deposition. This is just a tragic occurrence that resulted from a horrific criminal action. We certainly sympathize with the situation. But we truly do not feel the bank is at fault."
Contact Jason Miller at jmiller@thenewsdispatch.com.
Shot in 2002, Keith Hill is seeking verdict to help pay for his medical bills.
Jason Miller
The News-Dispatch
PORTAGE - Like the man convicted of killing two tellers in the same bank robbery in which he was shot and paralyzed, Keith Hill is waiting.
But while Nasih Kahlil Ra'id is waiting to see if he'll die in the execution chamber at the federal prison in Terre Haute, Ind., Hill is waiting to see if he'll get at least something in return for the life he nearly gave up to protect his place of employment.
"We're still in discovery," said Hill's Portage attorney, Don Rice. "The bank is dragging its feet in giving us access to documents. Keith's deposition was taken five weeks ago. There probably won't even be a trial on this until next year at this time."
The lawsuit was filed in Porter County.
Ra'id, a Michigan City man formerly known as Odell Corley, is appealing the federal death sentence he was handed in 2005. The U.S. Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals still has to hear the case.
Hill was the first person shot in the deadly botched robbery of the Pines Branch of the First State Bank of Porter.
Ra'id was convicted and sentenced to death.
Hill is waiting to see what he can get from the bank he was guarding in August 2002, when Ra'id and accomplices burst into the bank and started shooting.
Rice filed the lawsuit some two years ago, and while he wouldn't comment on the amount of money Hill is asking for in the suit. But Rice did say his client is looking for enough money to help pay for his ongoing medical care.
"We're talking about
continuous, 16-hour-a-day medical care. It's extremely costly," Rice said. "When you project that out over the rest of his life, plus compensatory damages, it's a great deal of money."
While Rice said he's waiting to receive documents from the bank's attorney, Bruce Clark, he said the trial's slow pace is not unusual.
Clark agreed, but disagreed with the allegation he hasn't provided Rice with requested documents.
"Mr. Rice has never submitted requests for the production of documents," Clark said. "The defense has been very proactive in this matter. The proper way to request documents is through discovery. If he asks ... we will provide the proper answers."
Clark said the main reason for the delay is likely a backlog in the court system.
"This is a very unfortunate situation," Clark said. "We've definitely been very proactive in this. We worked very hard to get the deposition. This is just a tragic occurrence that resulted from a horrific criminal action. We certainly sympathize with the situation. But we truly do not feel the bank is at fault."
Contact Jason Miller at jmiller@thenewsdispatch.com.
