Merrick v. Continental Illinois National Bank & Trust Co.

Mr. PRESIDING JUSTICE DRUCKER

delivered the opinion of the court:

John P. Merrick, hereinafter petitioner, filed suit to set aside the will of his sister, May Agnes Merrick, hereinafter the decedent. Tire respondents are the corporate executor, Continental Illinois National Bank and Trust Company, and the beneficiaries of decedent’s estate. Many of the beneficiaries are Catholic Church affiliated organizations and their religious leaders.

Four allegations in the petition charged the Catholic Church and the religious leaders of its various organizations with undue influence and fraud in procuring…