Dardess v. Blasingame

James A. Dardess and Elizabeth Dardess filed separate lawsuits against Ernest N. Blasingame, Jr., and SouthTrust Bank of the Quad Cities ("SouthTrust Bank"). James alleged malicious prosecution and abuse of process; Elizabeth alleged conversion and abuse of process. The trial court entered summary judgments for Blasingame and SouthTrust Bank, and the Dardesses filed separate notices of appeal.

In a prior proceeding, SouthTrust Bank had sued James A. Dardess on a promissory note and had obtained a judgment against him; SouthTrust Bank was represented in that proceeding by attorney Blasingame.…