Trial date, rules set for DeBrodie family lawsuit

A federal judge approved the timeline and rules for a civil trial involving the death of Carl DeBrodie.

The eight-day trial will take place March 2, 2020, at the federal courthouse in Jefferson City, according to the order signed Thursday by District Judge M. Douglas Harpool.

DeBrodie’s mother Carolyn Summers sued several people and agencies for her son’s death in 2017. DeBrodie was found dead, encased in concrete within a storage unit in Fulton, one week after he was reported missing from the assisted living facility Second Chance Homes of Fulton. The lawsuit claims Second Chance Homes, its owners and social services provided by Callaway County and the state failed to keep him safe.

All discovery in the case is due by July 1, 2019, according to a scheduling order approved by Harpool. Any amendments to the lawsuit will be filed by March 1, 2019.

Attorneys for DeBrodie’s family said last month that they plan on changing some aspects of their lawsuit based on new information. The amended lawsuit is due to be filed May 29.

One defendant, Sherry Paulo, has not yet been served or responded to the lawsuit. Paulo was an employee of Second Chance Homes.