The case arose from an auto accident in 2005 in which plaintiff allegedly sustained significant injuries, incurring nearly $200,000 in medical bills. Despite being confronted with strong liability defenses developed by Tom during the course of discovery, plaintiff made a pretrial settlement demand of $200,000. No settlement offer was made by defendant and so the case proceeded to trial in the Missouri Circuit Court for the City of St. Louis. Jury selection was completed on the first day of trial. When the plaintiff neglected to show up for the second day of trial the court granted defendant’s request that the case be dismissed with prejudice.