194 results for 'casenum:"09"'.
J. Horton finds the county court improperly denied the earth mover's attorney's motion to reinstate/for new trial. The earth mover's case was dismissed, and the client/property owner received $19,891 on its contract breach counterclaim after the earth mover's attorney failed to appear. The attorney, who was involved in another proceeding due to a scheduling conflict, requested that his clerk go to the other courtroom to let them know that he would be there. The clerk instead checked the court’s webpage “for an update,” which resulted in the attorney’s unintentional failure to appear. This reasonably explains that the attorney's absence was not due to conscious indifference. Reversed.
Court: Texas Courts of Appeals, Judge: Horton , Filed On: May 16, 2024, Case #: 09-22-00323-CV, Categories: Administrative Law, Due Process, Contract
J. Johnson finds the trial court properly convicted defendant for murder based on sufficient evidence. Officers discovered the victim's body, shot in the face with a shotgun, inside the trailer after a 911 report. Defendant claimed the victim had broken into his residence, though officers saw that she was wearing socks and slippers with no dirt on them. Although defendant said he did not know the victim, it was later discovered he had recently met her on a dating website. Furthermore, testimony from defendant's ex-wife and work associate involving threats he had made about shooting them while pointing a gun at them was properly admitted. Affirmed.
Court: Texas Courts of Appeals, Judge: Johnson , Filed On: May 15, 2024, Case #: 09-22-00385-CR, Categories: Evidence, Ineffective Assistance, Murder
J. Golemon finds the trial court properly convicted defendant for DUI. The prosecutor showed the jury a puzzle with pieces missing, and after adding the pieces to show the full picture noted the term "beyond a reasonable doubt" consisted of common sense. The defense objected, arguing the prosecution was attempting to redefine "beyond a reasonable doubt." The judge correctly overruled the objection, telling the jury there was “no specific legal definition of beyond a reasonable doubt” and that it was up to each juror to determine. Dashcam and bodycam videos, as well as the results of field sobriety and breath tests, support the conviction. Affirmed.
Court: Texas Courts of Appeals, Judge: Golemon , Filed On: May 15, 2024, Case #: 09-22-00266-CR, Categories: Evidence, Prosecutorial Misconduct, Dui
Per curiam, the court of appeals grants the pest control company's petition for a writ of mandamus. The company seeks to compel the trial court to withdraw its order denying its motion to compel a physical and mental examination of the parties in a car collision case. Expert examination is required to obtain a fair trial and, therefore, necessitates the intrusion upon the injured parties' privacy.
Court: Texas Courts of Appeals, Judge: Per curiam, Filed On: May 9, 2024, Case #: 09-24-00007-CV, Categories: Tort, Vehicle, Experts
J. Horton finds, in this interlocutory appeal, the trial court properly granted the river authority's motion for summary judgment. The utilities entities did not have the right to assert certain affirmative defenses to the authority's breach of contract claim for payment under longstanding contracts it used to secure repayment of its debt in return for the sale of outstanding bonds. Under statutes applying to the bonds, the legislature made the validity of a local government's contracts pledged to secure a debt obligation and approved through the process required by these statutes “incontestable in a court or other forum.” The incontestability statutes expressly foreclose the utilities' right to assert the affirmative defenses raised. Affirmed.
Court: Texas Courts of Appeals, Judge: Horton , Filed On: May 9, 2024, Case #: 09-23-00167-CV, Categories: Debt Collection, Government, Municipal Law
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J. Johnson, in this accelerated interlocutory appeal, finds the trial court properly denied USA Today's Texas Citizen’s Participation Act motion to dismiss the defamation claim. The tax service provider alleges a USA Today story falsely accused him of unlawful business practices in an effort to secure tax savings for clients. Record evidence creates a genuine fact issue on whether the publisher accurately reported whether the FBI was investigating the service provider. Affirmed.
Court: Texas Courts of Appeals, Judge: Johnson, Filed On: May 2, 2024, Case #: 09-22-00432-CV, Categories: Tax, Defamation, Business Practices
J. Wright finds the trial court properly entered summary judgment in favor of the wind turbine manufacturer. The dock worker fell from a man basket while unloading turbine blades from a ship and claims the manufacturer's negligent right of control over the details of the work led to his injury. The contract established the worker's employer was an independent contractor on the jobsite. The worker failed to meet his burden to establish the manufacturer controlled or had the right to control the work he was performing. Affirmed.
Court: Texas Courts of Appeals, Judge: Wright , Filed On: May 2, 2024, Case #: 09-21-00177-CV, Categories: Tort, Negligence, Contract
J. Golemon finds the trial court properly entered the property division enforcement order in this post-divorce proceeding. The ex-husband challenges the order requiring him to vacate the marital residence and ordering the receiver to sell the property and split the proceeds. A trial court that has rendered a final decree of divorce has the power to enforce the property division and to render clarifying orders to enforce compliance. Because no one appealed the enforcement order, the appeals court may not consider the ex-husband's arguments. Affirmed in part.
Court: Texas Courts of Appeals, Judge: Golemon , Filed On: May 2, 2024, Case #: 09-22-00312-CV, Categories: Family Law, Property
J. Golemon finds the trial court properly convicted defendant for murder. Testimony from 13 witnesses, ballistics and firearms evidence, photographs, and surveillance video clearly showing shots fired from defendant's vehicle support the conviction. Though defendant claims self-defense, the record shows no request for such a jury instruction. Counsel's decisions at trial all fall within the range of reasonable professional assistance. Affirmed.
Court: Texas Courts of Appeals, Judge: Golemon , Filed On: May 1, 2024, Case #: 09-22-00337-CR, Categories: Evidence, Ineffective Assistance, Murder
J. Golemon finds the trial court properly revoked defendant's deferred adjudication community supervision. Convicted by guilty plea as a habitual offender for unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, defendant was found to have violated the terms of his supervision and was sentenced to 45 years in prison. Counsel has found no arguable grounds for relief and defendant has filed no response. Affirmed.
Court: Texas Courts of Appeals, Judge: Golemon , Filed On: May 1, 2024, Case #: 09-23-00184-CR, Categories: Firearms, Probation, Sentencing
J. Johnson finds the trial court properly convicted defendant for misdemeanor theft, sentencing her to community supervision. Surveillance video from Academy sporting goods shows defendant taking two $300 Yeti coolers from the store without paying. The store director also identified defendant at trial. Furthermore, defendant fails to present an argument as to how she was prejudiced by trial counsel’s alleged deficiencies. Affirmed.
Court: Texas Courts of Appeals, Judge: Johnson , Filed On: May 1, 2024, Case #: 09-23-00281-CR, Categories: Evidence, Probation, Theft
Per curiam, the court of appeals denies the inmate's petition for a writ of mandamus seeking to compel the trial court to provide file-stamped copies of documents involving tax sale proceeds for which he is an heir. He fails to explain why not having file-stamped documents, or a response from the clerk acknowledging their filing, prevents him from proceeding to a disposition of his motion for release of the proceeds.
Court: Texas Courts of Appeals, Judge: Per curiam, Filed On: April 25, 2024, Case #: 09-23-00335-CV, Categories: Tax, Wills / Probate, Prisoners' Rights
J. Johnson finds the trial court properly dismissed the ex-husband's petition for annulment of the marriage. After the ex-wife filed for divorce, the husband sought annulment on the grounds the wife had used fraud, duress or force to induce him to marry her. Though the couple had married in Texas, and moved between Texas and Montana during the marriage, the Montana court concluded “[t]he marriage is irretrievably broken," and ordered the dissolution, with the Montana Supreme Court affirming. The record shows that when the husband filed his Texas petition for annulment, the marriage had already been dissolved. He did not meet his burden to prove his marriage was never valid. Affirmed.
Court: Texas Courts of Appeals, Judge: Johnson , Filed On: April 11, 2024, Case #: 09-23-00285-CV, Categories: Evidence, Family Law, Fraud
J. Golemon finds the trial court improperly granted a permanent injunction to the successor-in-interest to the grantor of pipeline easements. The grantor successor filed suit against the grantee successor after a dispute developed regarding the use of the grantor's roads and bridges. The grantor failed to prove the grantee engaged in a wrongful act causing the grantor irreparable injury. The trial court improperly permanently enjoined the grantee from exercising its rights under the easements. Awards of fees are based on the erroneous conclusion. Reversed in part.
Court: Texas Courts of Appeals, Judge: Golemon , Filed On: April 11, 2024, Case #: 09-22-00117-CV, Categories: Energy, Property
Per curiam, the court of appeals dismisses defendant's appeal. Convicted by a no-contest plea for meth possession, defendant's community supervision was revoked and then dismissed on appeal for deprivation of right to counsel. The trial court then denied defendant's motion to reinstate. The court of appeals does not have jurisdiction when the trial court's order does not adjudicate guilt or acquittal.
Court: Texas Courts of Appeals, Judge: Per curiam, Filed On: April 10, 2024, Case #: 09-24-00086-CR, Categories: Drug Offender, Probation, Jurisdiction
Per curiam, the court of appeals conditionally grants the hospital's petition for a writ of mandamus challenging the trial court's discovery order. The hospital promised to pay the provider for physicians after its parent company sold other hospitals. The hospital objected to expedited discovery as being based on the provider's speculation the hospital might be unable to pay a judgment that had not yet been issued. The provider has not alleged certain assets subject to discovery are encumbered by any security interest. The trial court improperly ordered production of documents not relevant to the pending action.
Court: Texas Courts of Appeals, Judge: Per curiam, Filed On: April 4, 2024, Case #: 09-24-00034-CV, Categories: Health Care, Discovery, Contract
J. Golemon finds the trial court improperly found for a compan that says it holds a final money judgment and a writ of execution on certain property sold at auction, though the purchaser says he was entitled to the $35,000 in auction proceeds as a bona fide purchaser for value with no notice of the judgment. The purchaser has established he is a bona fide purchaser as a matter of law and entitled to the proceeds deposited in the court's registry. Reversed.
Court: Texas Courts of Appeals, Judge: Golemon , Filed On: April 4, 2024, Case #: 09-22-00099-CV, Categories: Property, Due Process
J. Wright finds the trial court properly revoked defendant's probation from his guilty plea conviction for sexual assault. Defendant failed to obtain a sex offender driver’s license and install a locator on his phone, missed multiple drug tests, contacted multiple women, including the victim, and failed to make required payments. Text messages from defendant's burner phone were properly admitted. The messages were not offered to prove the truth of the matter asserted, but to show context, and, so, were not hearsay. Affirmed.
Court: Texas Courts of Appeals, Judge: Wright , Filed On: April 3, 2024, Case #: 09-22-00058-CR, Categories: Drug Offender, Evidence, Sex Offender
J. Wright finds the trial court properly convicted defendant for aggravated assault against a public servant. A motorist who defendant threatened to shoot reported the incident. Patrol vehicle video shows defendant shot at the officer when he arrived. Evidence did not raise a fact issue that would have allowed the jury to conclude defendant was guilty of the lesser-included offense of reckless conduct. The court properly denied defendant's request for a charge on the lesser-included offense. Affirmed.
Court: Texas Courts of Appeals, Judge: Wright , Filed On: April 3, 2024, Case #: 09-23-00045-CR, Categories: Firearms, Sentencing, Assault
J. Horton finds the trial court properly entered a take-nothing judgment in a car collision case. The driver and passenger who were rear-ended say the court improperly imposed a "death penalty" sanction, excluding deposition testimony of their surgeon for their attorney’s failure to comply with the evidence scheduling order. The driver and passenger have not attached any part of the doctor's testimony to their motion for new trial, and the trial court properly enforced its scheduling order. The injured party was given the opportunity to develop a record sufficient to show no other evidence could tie the driver's surgery to the collision. Affirmed.
Court: Texas Courts of Appeals, Judge: Horton , Filed On: March 28, 2024, Case #: 09-22-00001-CV, Categories: Evidence, Sanctions, Vehicle
J. Johnson finds the trial court properly convicted defendant for murder. Multiple witnesses testify to multiple events, including having been robbed by a man in a gorilla mask associated with defendant, having heard defendant's voice screaming in a conflict with another, followed by gunshots, and having had a gun stolen by defendant's accomplice. Though an accomplice was involved, sufficient evidence supports the conviction. Defendant aided the accomplice in an aggravated robbery and is criminally responsible as a party to murder, as the accomplice intentionally caused the victim's death. Affirmed.
Court: Texas Courts of Appeals, Judge: Johnson, Filed On: March 20, 2024, Case #: 09-23-00234-CR, Categories: Evidence, Murder, Accomplice Liability
[Consolidated.] Per curiam, the court of appeals denies the petitions for mandamus to compel the Conroe city secretary to reject certain applications to appear on the city's general election ballot. Petitioners say the applications are deficient in terms of signatures and certifications, but they have not made factual determinations and have not shown entitlement to relief.
Court: Texas Courts of Appeals, Judge: Per curiam, Filed On: March 15, 2024, Case #: 09-24-00091-CV, Categories: Administrative Law, Elections, Municipal Law
J. Golemon finds the trial court properly denied the auto dealer's motion to compel arbitration. The buyer sued the dealer after she discovered that the truck she bought, advertised as new, was not new. The trial court properly found the dealer meant to manipulate the litigation process, prejudicing the buyer, by demanding arbitration after an unexcused 4-year delay, after a trial date had been set, and after the court granted the buyer's motion to compel discovery. Affirmed.
Court: Texas Courts of Appeals, Judge: Golemon , Filed On: March 14, 2024, Case #: 09-23-00098-CV, Categories: Arbitration, Commerce, Due Process
J. Johnson, in this interlocutory appeal, finds the trial court improperly denied the New York law firm's motion for special appearance. The father filed his legal malpractice suit against the firm for its representation in a suit regarding the wrongful death of his son from consuming a particular herbal extract, a circumstance for which the firm professed expertise. The father failed to negate the firm’s challenge to his jurisdictional allegations. Reversed.
Court: Texas Courts of Appeals, Judge: Johnson, Filed On: March 14, 2024, Case #: 09-23-00201-CV, Categories: Jurisdiction, Wrongful Death, Legal Malpractice
J. Horton finds the Texas court properly granted the mother's petition to modify the parent-child relationship. The ex-husband knew when he married the mother that he was not the child's father but agreed to pay child support according to the divorce decree he signed. The Texas Family Code also provides circumstances under which a Texas court may proceed to modify a child-custody determination made by a court in another state. The Texas court had jurisdiction to make the modification. Affirmed in part.
Court: Texas Courts of Appeals, Judge: Horton , Filed On: March 14, 2024, Case #: 09-22-00202-CV, Categories: Family Law, Jurisdiction
J. Johnson finds the trial court improperly granted the construction company's pretrial motion for summary judgment on the engineering firm's breach of contract claim. Summary judgment evidence submitted by the engineering firm - an email acknowledging a land-for-services provision could not go forward - created genuine issues of material fact on whether an agreement existed. Reversed.
Court: Texas Courts of Appeals, Judge: Johnson , Filed On: March 7, 2024, Case #: 09-22-00120-CV, Categories: Construction, Property, Contract
Per curiam, the court of appeals denies the petition for mandamus. Civilly committed as a sexually violent predator, the patient's unauthorized petition for release was denied, with the court stating that though progress was made, the patient was still likely to engage in predatory sexual violence. The expert report shows the patient's behavior has changed for better and worse during the course of his treatment.
Court: Texas Courts of Appeals, Judge: Per curiam, Filed On: March 7, 2024, Case #: 09-22-00022-CV, Categories: Evidence, Health Care, Commitment
J. Wright finds the trial court properly convicted defendant for the capital murder of her 18-month-old son. Defendant, wet, as if just having showered, arrived at the outpatient facility with her son in her arms. Employees testified defendant was in distress, telling them her son would not wake up. Injuries were observed on the child's body consistent with abuse, including bruises on the child's face in the shape of the mother's handprint. Rigor also indicated the child had been dead for a period of time. Affirmed.
Court: Texas Courts of Appeals, Judge: Wright , Filed On: March 6, 2024, Case #: 09-21-00255-CR, Categories: Evidence, Murder, Child Victims
J. Wright finds the trial court properly convicted defendant for continuous sexual abuse of a child. The victim testified defendant was in a relationship with her older sister when the victim was 11 or 12 years old. She said defendant eventually began grabbing her breast and touching her vagina, with the behavior escalating to sexual intercourse. She also testified defendant bought her a cell phone in order to facilitate their encounters. The victim then told her friends, who began recording the conversations, eventually playing the recordings for the victim's mother. Ample evidence supports the conviction. All evidence was properly admitted, and no abuse of discretion is found in the court's denial of defendant's motions for mistrial for failure to disclose. Affirmed.
Court: Texas Courts of Appeals, Judge: Wright , Filed On: March 6, 2024, Case #: 09-21-00386-CR, Categories: Evidence, Sex Offender, Child Victims