ST. LOUIS — The legal battle surrounding Chad Morris, a local bar owner, has intensified this week as his attorney sought sanctions against the St. and Louis Circuit Attorney’s Office over what he claims is a failure to disclose vital evidence. The dispute stems from an incident last December at Bar:PM, a popular establishment in the South Broadway area, which culminated in the controversial arrest of Morris following a confrontation with police.
According to court documents, James Wyrsch, Morris’ lawyer, has accused the circuit attorney’s office, led by Gabe Gore, of withholding information crucial to assessing the credibility of Ramelle Wallace, one of the officers involved. The information in question relates to previous allegations of misconduct by Wallace, which could potentially impact his testimony against Morris.
The incident that triggered the legal controversy occurred on December 18, when a police SUV, driven by another officer who was reportedly distracted by his radio, crashed into Bar:PM. Surveillance footage captured the vehicle speeding and ignoring traffic signals just before the collision. Amidst the ensuing chaos, Morris was arrested and charged with a misdemeanor after allegedly physically confronting an officer.
Wyrsch’s filings contend that the circuit attorney’s office has previously encountered resistance from the police department in providing similar evidential material in other cases, a situation that might have influenced their handling of Morris’ case. According to the filings, the defense has struggled to obtain clear answers or commitments from the circuit attorney’s office on whether efforts were made to retrieve the disputed evidence from the police.
In response to these allegations, a spokeswoman for Gore’s office described the motion for sanctions as presenting a “one-sided representation of the issues.” She affirmed the office’s intention to respond formally in court. Communications quoted from emails in the court filing show the circuit attorney’s office indicating their dependence on the police department to furnish any relevant information, and that acquiring further details might necessitate judicial intervention due to the police’s prior resistance in similar contexts.
Further complicating matters, Morris’ business partner and co-owner of Bar:PM, James Spence, alongside Richard Hopkins III, who is involved in an unrelated incident, have filed lawsuits against Officer Wallace. These legal actions relate directly to Wallace’s conduct in the December incident and a separate instance at the St. Louis City Justice Center.
The Morris case will return to court for a status hearing on July 25, where these matters may unfold further under judicial scrutiny.
This case highlights ongoing tensions and procedural challenges between local business owners, law enforcement, and the judicial system in dealing with disclosures and accountability. As such, it encapsulates broader issues of transparency and fairness that resonate in communities grappling with police conduct and prosecutorial responsibilities across the nation.