Zevan’s time is up, Greitens said in announcing his support for numerous changes to state law that would diminish Seventh Amendment protections in favor of business. But when he says “their time is up,” he’s also referring to people like Brian Cook.

Cook is a Marine Corps veteran and former Golden Gloves boxing champion. He grew up in St. Louis public housing projects and lives in Columbia now, where he teaches kids boxing. In 2006, Cook bought a Jeep Cherokee from a local car dealer, whose owner later went to prison for fraud. Cook’s Jeep was stolen and wrecked. He was properly insured and was reimbursed for the damage. But the check didn’t go to Cook. It went to the financing company. Before it sent his proceeds to him, the financing company went out of business, but not until it sold the paper on Cook’s car to a debt buyer. That company sued Cook, claiming he owed $453 over a bogus service contract. Cook’s lawyer, Dave Angle of Columbia, sued and found out the finance company was pulling this scam on many Missouri consumers.

Under one of the so-called tort-reform bills considered by the Missouri Legislature, Senate Bill 5, Cook likely wouldn’t have had any legal recourse.