POINT PLEASANT –- Despite a public domestic squabble that lead to the recent arrests of their respective fathers, an estranged Mason County couple has temporarily reunited to file a personal injury lawsuit.
Ruthie Fisher-Billings, Joshua Billings and their daughters, Khloie and Kylie, filed suit against Nathaniel Reynolds in Mason Circuit Court on Dec. 10. In their complaint, Fisher-Billings, 29, and Billings, 30, allege they, Khloie, 10, and Kylie, 5, where injured following an automobile accident with Reynolds Christmas Day 2008.
Specifically, Fisher-Billings, and Billings allege they were stopped at the intersection of Jackson Ave. and 28th Street in Point Pleasant when they were rear-ended by a Ford Contour driven by Reynolds. The resulting collision resulted in not only they, but also Khloie and Kylie sustaining "lost wages, physical and mental injury, loss of enjoyment of life, medical and other expenses, great emotional and psychological distress, aggravation [and] inconvenience."
The Billings' seek unspecified damages, interest and court costs. Ruthie, Khloie and Kylie are represented by Barboursville attorney Amy M. Herrenkohl while Josh is represented by Point Pleasant attorney R. Michael Shaw.
The case is assigned to Judge David W. Nibert.
A month prior to filing their suit, the Billings', who are currently separated, were involved in a personal altercation over the well-being of their daughters. The altercation resulted in not only their fathers, but also Josh being arrested.
According to criminal complaints in Mason Magistrate Court, Ruthie, accompanied by her father, Thomas A. Fisher, 47, of Gallipolis Ferry, went to the home of Josh's parents, Brian and Shirley, on 27th Street in Point Pleasant to inquire about their daughter's whereabouts. Records are unclear if the Fishers were searching for Khloie or Kylie.
When the Fishers refused to leave, Brian Billings, 53, called the police. After he pushed Billings in the chest, Thomas Fisher was arrested for trespassing, battery and obstructing.
While police had Fisher on the ground placing him in handcuffs, records show Josh, who is residing at his parents' home pending his divorce from Ruthie, came out and kicked him in the head causing abrasions to the left side of his face and the destruction of his glasses. Josh was arrested and charged with domestic battery.
About that same time, Brian, who is the mayor of Point Pleasant, accosted Ruthie saying " 'You better not write anything about this on topix.com,'" and then spat in her face. According to the complaint, he, too, was arrested for domestic battery.
Records show both Brian and Josh were later released on a $1,000 personal recognizance bond while Fisher was taken to the Western Regional Jail before being released on a $2,000 personal recognizance bond.
Two days later, Josh was arrested again, this time on a felony destruction of property charge.
According to the criminal complaint, Chris Kittinger, a reporter for WCHS-TV8/WVAH FOX 11 News was filming outside the Billings' residence for a segment about the previous domestic dispute. At an unspecified time, Josh came outside and told Kittinger to leave.
Despite being restrained by his brother, Josh managed to knock Kittinger's camera over, and stomped on it. According the complaint, the camera sustained $2,500 in damages.
The destruction of property charges were dropped Jan. 4 at Billings' preliminary hearing when Cabell County Prosecutor Chris Chiles, who has been appointed special prosecutor in the cases against Josh, his father and father-in-law, said the station was satisfied with the restitution Billings made. According to court records, he paid WCHS/WVAH $4,410.72.
A trial date has not been set on the remaining misdemeanor charges.
Mason Circuit Court, case number 10-C-151 (Billings'civil); Mason Magistrate Court, case numbers 10-M-1437 (B. Billings criminal), 10-M-1438 and 10-F-176 (J. Billings criminal) and 10-M-1439-1441 (Fisher criminal)
