July 2008 Cases Decided by the First Court of Appeals - Houston, Texas
(Tex. App.- Houston [1st Dist.] 2008)
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July 2008 Decision and Opinion Release Dates:  

July 1, 3, 10, 17, 24, 31

July 2008 CIVIL CASE TABLE

JULY 2008 DECIDED CASES (with links to opinions in civil cases)

July 31, 2008

CIVIL CAUSES DECIDED

Dace v. Dace (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] July 31, 2008)(Higley)
(
dispute over estate, no breach of contract, deed, undue influence, testamentary capacity)
(evidence insufficient to support jury’s finding that Harry entered into a written agreement with his parents to purchase
the business)
AFFIRM TC JUDGMENT IN PART, REVERSE TC JUDGMENT IN PART, AND RENDER JUDGMENT:
Opinion by
Justice Higley  
Before Justices Taft, Hanks and Higley
01-05-00832-CV        Marvin Harry Dace, Jr. v. Tommy Dace, Independent Executor of the Estate of Marvin Harry
Dace, Sr., Deceased
Appeal from County Court at Law No 1 & Probate Court of Brazoria County
Trial Court Judge: Hon. Jerri Lee Mills

Texas Mutual Ins. Co. v. Ruttiger (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] July 31, 2008) (opinion on rehearing by Jennings)
(
worker's compensation insurance bad faith, code violation, DTPA, loss to credit reputation)
MODIFY TC JUDGMENT AND AFFIRM TC JUDGMENT AS MODIFIED:  Opinion by
Justice Terry Jennings
01-06-00897-CV        Texas Mutual Insurance Company v. Timothy J. Ruttiger
Appeal from 122nd District Court of Galveston County
Trial Court Judge: Hon. John Ellisor

DISMISS APPEAL: Per Curiam  (DWOP for failure to pay)
Before Justices Taft, Jennings and Bland
01-06-00909-CV        Dr. George Smith v. Donald R. Watkins Memorial Foundation, Katana Jennings, Vanessa
Sampson, Gerald Womack, James Ellis and Sharyon Gathe
Appeal from
55th District Court of Harris County

Barton v. Whataburger, Inc. (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] July 31, 2008) (Bland)
(
workplace safety, murder not forseeable, no employer liability)
AFFIRM TC JUDGMENT: Opinion by
Justice Bland  
Before Chief Justice Radack, Justices Alcala and Bland
01-06-01121-CV        Rose Barton, Individually and as Personal Representative of the Estate of Christopher Martin
Dean v. Whataburger, Inc.
Appeal from 157th District Court of Harris County
Trial Court Judge:
Hon. Ronald [Randall] L. Wilson

In the Matter of BW (Tex. App.- Houston [1st Dist.] July 31, 2008)(Jennings)
(
juvenile case, prostitution)
AFFIRM TC JUDGMENT: Opinion by
Justice Jennings  
Before Chief Justice Radack, Justices Jennings and Bland
01-07-00274-CV        In The Matter of B. W.
Appeal from 314th District Court of Harris County
Trial Court Judge: Hon. John Phillips

DISMISS APPEAL: Opinion by Justice Jennings
Before Chief Justice Radack, Justices Jennings and Bland
01-07-00410-CV        Bio Landscape & Maintenance, Inc. v. Sallie Morse and Sid A. Morse, Jr.
Appeal from
11th District Court of Harris County

Pouncy Pittman v. Pappas Restaurants (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] July 31, 2008)(Hanks)
(
shooting in front of restaurant, crime not forseeable, no liability, motion for continuance MFC, due diligence in seeking
discovery, admission of evidence)
AFFIRM TC JUDGMENT: Opinion by
Justice Hanks
Before Justices Nuchia, Alcala and Hanks
01-07-00575-CV  Leah Pouncy Pittman, Individually and on behalf of the heirs at law of the Estate of Delearette
Montrail Pittman v. Pappas Restaurants, Inc., d/b/a Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen
Appeal from 190th District Court of Harris County
Trial Court
Judge: Hon. Jennifer Walker Elrod

Tran v. Trinh (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] July 31, 2008)(Jennings)
(
claim of breach of partnership agreement, jury found no partnership agreement, effect of failure to file request for
partial record,
UDJA attorney's fees)
AFFIRM TC JUDGMENT: Opinion by Justice Jennings
Before Chief Justice Radack, Justices Jennings and Bland
01-07-00662-CV        Hang Tran d/b/a Parisian Bakery v. Lien Trinh and Intervenor Manh Tran
Appeal from County Civil Court at Law No 1 of Harris County

Kahng v. Verity (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] July 31, 2008)(Jennings)
(
auto PI, death, negligence, wrongful death, man running into freeway, no time to swerve, NE-SJ properly granted,
failure to preserve error)
AFFIRM TC JUDGMENT: Opinion by Justice Jennings
Before Justices Taft, Jennings and Bland
01-07-00695-CV        Clara Kahng, Individually and on behalf of Wony Kahng, Gredo Kahng, Howard Kahng and Sarah
Roh v. John Richard Verity
Appeal from 164th District Court of Harris County
Trial Court
Judge: Hon. Martha Hill Jamison

CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric LLC V Bluebonnet Drive, Ltd. (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] July 31, 2008)
(Radack) (
interpretation of easement, new cell phone technology vs. telephone and telegraph wires in 1929)
REVERSE TC JUDGMENT AND RENDER JUDGMENT: Opinion by
Chief Justice Radack  
Before Chief Justice Radack, Justices Nuchia and Keyes
01-07-00734-CV        CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric LLC and SprintCom, Inc. v. Bluebonnet Drive, Ltd., and
Petro-Guard Company, Inc.
Appeal from 333rd District Court of Harris County
Trial Court
Judge: Hon. Joseph Halbach

DISMISS APPEAL: Per Curiam  
Before Justices Nuchia, Alcala and Hanks
01-07-00843-CV        Phyllis K. Tomasino v. First Baptist Academy of Houston, Olivia C. Elmore, First Baptist Church of
Houston and Gregg Matte
Appeal from
152nd District Court of Harris County

DISMISS APPEAL: Per Curiam  
Before Justices Taft, Jennings and Bland
01-07-01094-CV        Rogelio Cabelo Esparza, Jr. v.
Department of Family and Protective Services
Appeal from 314th District Court of Harris County

DISMISS APPEAL: Per Curiam  
Before Justices Taft, Jennings and Bland
01-08-00088-CV        William A. Carruthers and Pilgrim's Pride Corporation v. MidCentury Insurance Company of
Texas as Subrogeeof Alberto Perez--
Appeal from County Civil Court at Law No 2 of Harris County

DISMISS PETITION FOR WRIT OF MANDAMUS: Per Curiam
Before Justices Nuchia, Alcala and Hanks
01-08-00166-CV        In re Arbor Capital and Investment Company, Inc.
Appeal from
164th District Court of Harris County

DISMISS APPEAL: Per Curiam  
Before Justices Nuchia, Alcala and Hanks
01-08-00181-CV        A&B G.P., L.L.C.; A&B Valve and Piping Systems, L.P. a/k/a A&B Valve and Piping Systems;
Connie Dobson; Tara Kolar; Linda Urbanek; and Martin Willmore v. National Oil Well Varco, L.P.
Appeal from
113th District Court of Harris County

DISMISS APPEAL: Per Curiam  
Before Justices Taft, Jennings and Bland
01-08-00276-CV        Hawa U. Fofanah and Foday S. Fofanah v. Christiana Bank & Trust Company
Appeal from County Court at Law of Ellis County

DISMISS APPEAL: Per Curiam  
Before Chief Justice Radack, Justices Keyes and Higley
01-08-00343-CV        Andre N. Ammiel v. Sherry L. Atchison
Appeal from
310th District Court of Harris County

DENY PETITION FOR WRIT OF MANDAMUS: Per Curiam
Before Justices Nuchia, Alcala and Hanks
01-08-00478-CV        In Re: Linda Hernandez, Jose Hernandez, Javier Vasquez, Claudia Gil, Raul Vasquez and Virgina
Vasquez
Appeal from
212th District Court of Galveston County

Criminal Causes Decided:

AFFIRM TC JUDGMENT: Opinion by Justice Higley  
(Before Justices Nuchia, Hanks and Higley)
01-06-00751-CR        Thomas Roy Kennedy v. The State of Texas
Appeal from 338th District Court of Harris County

AFFIRM TC JUDGMENT: Opinion by Justice Higley  
(Before Justices Nuchia, Hanks and Higley)
01-06-00752-CR        Thomas Roy Kennedy v. The State of Texas
Appeal from 338th District Court of Harris County

AFFIRM TC JUDGMENT: Opinion by Justice Higley  
(Before Justices Nuchia, Hanks and Higley)
01-06-00753-CR        Thomas Roy Kennedy v. The State of Texas
Appeal from 338th District Court of Harris County

AFFIRM TC JUDGMENT: Opinion by Chief Justice Radack
(Before Chief Justice Radack, Justices Jennings and Bland)
01-06-01055-CR        Kenneth Dewayne Hayes v. The State of Texas
Appeal from 56th District Court of Galveston County

OPINION CONCURRING IN PART WITH, AND DISSENTING IN PART TO, THIS COURT'S JUDGMENT: Concurring and
Dissenting Opinion by Justice Bland  
(Before Chief Justice Radack, Justices Jennings and Bland)
01-06-01055-CR        Kenneth Dewayne Hayes v. The State of Texas
Appeal from 56th District Court of Galveston County

REVERSE TC JUDGMENT AND RENDER JUDGMENT: Opinion by Chief Justice Radack
(Before Chief Justice Radack, Justices Jennings and Bland)
01-06-01056-CR        Kenneth Dewayne Hayes v. The State of Texas
Appeal from 56th District Court of Galveston County

OPINION CONCURRING IN PART WITH, AND DISSENTING IN PART TO, THIS COURT'S JUDGMENT: Concurring and
Dissenting Opinion by Justice Bland  
(Before Chief Justice Radack, Justices Jennings and Bland)
01-06-01056-CR        Kenneth Dewayne Hayes v. The State of Texas
Appeal from 56th District Court of Galveston County

AFFIRM TC JUDGMENT: Opinion by Justice Higley  
(Before Chief Justice Radack, Justices Keyes and Higley)
01-07-00129-CR        Aaron Muniz v. The State of Texas
Appeal from County Court of Colorado County

AFFIRM TC JUDGMENT: Opinion by Justice Jennings
(Before Justices Taft, Jennings and Bland)
01-07-00444-CR        Stephonie Theresa Kirby v. The State of Texas
Appeal from Co Crim Ct at Law No 7 of Harris County

REVERSE TC JUDGMENT AND REMAND CASE TO TC FOR FURTHER PROCEEDINGS: Opinion by Justice Jennings   
(Before Justices Taft, Jennings and Bland)
01-07-00858-CR        Ryan Lance Hudnall v. The State of Texas
Appeal from 179th District Court of Harris County

DISMISS APPEAL: Per Curiam  
(Before Chief Justice Radack, Justices Keyes and Higley)
01-08-00578-CR        John Oliver Hulett v. The State of Texas
Appeal from 232nd District Court of Harris County

July 24, 2008

Civil Causes Decided:

Jackson v. City of Texas City (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] July 24, 2008)(Keyes)
(
public employment, collective bargaining agreement, discharge from fire department, dismissal, civil service
commission)
AFFIRM TC JUDGMENT: Opinion by
Justice Keyes  
Before Justices Taft, Keyes and Alcala
01-07-00026-CV
Anthony Jackson and James Nunez v. City of Texas City and Debbie Lesco, Texas City Civil Service Director
Appeal from
212th District Court of Galveston County
Trial Court Judge: Hon. Susan Elizabeth Criss  
Dissenting Opinion by Justice Alcala

Messina v. Messina (Tex.App- Houston [1st Dist.] July 24, 2008)(Bland)
(
divorce post-judgment proceeding, undisclosed assets, MSA, sanctions, dismissal with prejudice following nonsuit)
AFFIRM TC JUDGMENT: Opinion by
Justice Bland
Before Chief Justice Radack, Justices Jennings and Bland
01-07-00277-CV Susan Gail Messina v. Louis Anthony Messina
Appeal from 308th District Court of Harris County
Trial Court
Judge: Hon. Georgia Dempster  

Mares v. Blaine (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] July 24, 2008)(Hanks) (appeal from DWOP)
AFFIRM TC JUDGMENT: Opinion by
Justice Hanks  
Before Justices Nuchia, Alcala and Hanks
01-07-00620-CV Samuel R. Mares, Sr. v. Victor R. Blaine
Appeal from 11th District Court of Harris County
Trial Court
Judge: Hon. Mark Davidson

Healix Infusion Therapy, Inc. v. South Florida Infectious Diseases & Tropical Medicine Center, LLC
(Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] July 24, 2008)(Nuchia) (special appearance, foreign defendant, purposeful availment)
AFFIRM TC JUDGMENT: Opinion by
Justice Nuchia  
Before Justices Nuchia, Alcala and Hanks
01-07-00849-CV Healix Infusion Therapy, Inc. v. South Florida Infectious Diseases & Tropical Medicine Center, LLC
Appeal from 234th District Court of Harris County
Trial Court
Judge: Hon. Reece Rondon  

Wood v. Texas Chiropractic College (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] July 24, 2008) (Jennings)
(suit by student against private educational institution,
DTPA, misrepresentation, no reliance shown, NE-SJ)
AFFIRM TC JUDGMENT: Opinion by
Justice Jennings
Before Justices Taft and Jennings, The Honorable Hudson
01-07-00952-CV Kelly Wood v. Texas Chiropractic College
Appeal from 190th District Court of Harris County
Trial Court
Judge: Hon. Jennifer Walker Elrod  

Criminal Causes Decided:

AFFIRM TC JUDGMENT: Opinion by Justice Keyes  
(Before Chief Justice Radack, Justices Keyes and Higley)
01-07-00265-CR Troy Norman Volk v. The State of Texas
Appeal from 405th District Court of Galveston County

AFFIRM TC JUDGMENT: Opinion by Justice Keyes  
(Before Chief Justice Radack, Justices Keyes and Higley)
01-07-00266-CR Troy Norman Volk v. The State of Texas
Appeal from 405th District Court of Galveston County

AFFIRM TC JUDGMENT: Opinion by Justice Keyes  
(Before Chief Justice Radack, Justices Keyes and Higley)
01-07-00326-CR Troy Norman Volk v. The State of Texas
Appeal from 405th District Court of Galveston County

AFFIRM TC JUDGMENT: Opinion by Justice Bland  
(Before Justices Taft, Jennings and Bland)
01-07-00594-CR Keith Darrell Stoval v. The State of Texas
Appeal from 228th District Court of Harris County

AFFIRM TC JUDGMENT: Per Curiam
(Before Justices Taft, Jennings and Bland)
01-07-00626-CR Louis Zaragoza v. The State of Texas
Appeal from 339th District Court of Harris County

DISMISS APPEAL: Per Curiam  
(Before Justices Taft, Jennings and Bland)
01-07-00798-CR Kevin Mitchell v. The State of Texas
Appeal from 230th District Court of Harris County

DISMISS APPEAL: Per Curiam
(Before Justices Nuchia, Alcala and Hanks)
01-07-01118-CR Guillermo Rodriguez v. The State of Texas
Appeal from 185th District Court of Harris County

DISMISS APPEAL: Per Curiam  
(Before Justices Taft, Jennings and Bland)
01-08-00025-CR Dorral Lamon Marsenburg v. The State of Texas
Appeal from 180th District Court of Harris County

DISMISS APPEAL: Per Curiam
(Before Justices Nuchia, Alcala and Hanks)
01-08-00357-CR Farrell Andrew Reid v. The State of Texas
Appeal from 185th District Court of Harris County

DISMISS APPEAL: Per Curiam
(Before Justices Taft, Jennings and Bland)
01-08-00458-CR Jeff McClendon v. The State of Texas
Appeal from 230th District Court of Harris County

DISMISS APPEAL: Per Curiam  
(Before Justices Taft, Jennings and Bland)
01-08-00459-CR Jeff McClendon v. The State of Texas
Appeal from 230th District Court of Harris County

DISMISS APPEAL: Per Curiam  
(Before Justices Nuchia, Alcala and Hanks)
01-08-00467-CR Renard Wayne Davis v. The State of Texas
Appeal from 248th District Court of Harris County

DISMISS APPEAL: Per Curiam
(Before Justices Nuchia, Alcala and Hanks)
01-08-00511-CR Charles Eugene Horn v. The State of Texas
Appeal from 182nd District Court of Harris County

DISMISS APPEAL: Per Curiam  
(Before Justices Nuchia, Alcala and Hanks)
01-08-00519-CR Johnel Lewis v. The State of Texas
Appeal from 337th District Court of Harris County

July 17, 2008

Civil Causes Decided:

Pessarra v. Seidler (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] July 17, 2008)(Keyes)
(
guardianship proceeding, attorney had no authority to file appeal)
DISMISS APPEAL: Opinion by Justice Keyes  
Before Chief Justice Radack, Justices Keyes and Higley
01-06-01035-CV Tera Pessara v. Frank Wayne Seidler, Kimberly McMillian, Floyd Christian, Jr., Tera Hollie Stowe and
Janet Douvas Chafin
Appeal from Probate Court of Brazoria County

American International Industries, Inc. v. Surgicare (Tex.App.- Houston [14th Dist.] July 17, 2008)(Keyes)
(indemnification for
attorney's fees, establishing reasonable and necessary amount of fees)
AFFIRM TC JUDGMENT: Opinion by Justice Keyes
Before Chief Justice Radack, Justices Keyes and Higley)
01-07-00116-CV        American International Industries, Inc. v. Surgicare, Inc.
Appeal from 344th District Court of Chambers County

City of Houston v. Buttitta (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] July 17, 2008)(Hanks)
(
City of Houston litigation, public employment, firefighters and policemen, disciplinary action,
plea to the jurisdiction against city proper, DJA not available here)
AFFIRM TC JUDGMENT: Opinion by Justice Hanks  
Before Justices Alcala, Hanks and Higley
01-07-00323-CV        City of Houston v. Joseph A. Buttitta
Appeal from 113th District Court of Harris County
Trial Court
Judge: Hon. Patricia Hancock

DISMISS APPEAL: Per Curiam
Before Chief Justice Radack, Justices Keyes and Higley
01-07-00916-CV        Christopher C. Finlay v. Related Corporate XXIII SLP, L.P.
Appeal from 270th District Court of Harris County

Yilmaz, MD v. McGregor (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] July 17, 2008)(Higley) (medical malpractice, motion to dismiss,
interlocutory appeal, timeliness of service of citation and expert report, defendant not a party prior to being served)
REVERSE TC JUDGMENT AND REMAND CASE TO TC FOR FURTHER PROCEEDINGS: Opinion by Justice Higley
Before Chief Justice Radack, Justices Keyes and Higley
01-07-01116-CV        Salih Yilmaz, M.D. v. Eula McGregor, Tommie James, Charles James and Erma Ruth Ervin, as
heirs of the Estate of Louis D. James, Deceased, and La Chunda James
Appeal from 12th District Court of Grimes County

Travelers Indemnity Co. v. Texas Municipal League (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] July 17, 2008)(Keyes)
(
arbitration disputes) (no express agreement to arbitrate, motion to compel arbitration denied)
AFFIRM TC JUDGMENT: Opinion by Justice Keyes
Before Chief Justice Radack, Justices Keyes and Higley
01-08-00062-CV        Travelers Indemnity Company v. Texas Municipal League Joint Self-Insurance Fund, for itself and
as Subrogee of the City of Bunker Hill Village
Appeal from 125th District Court of Harris County
Trial Court
Judge: Hon. John Coselli  

DISMISS APPEAL: Per Curiam  (failure to file brief by due date)
Before Justices Taft, Jennings and Bland
01-08-00133-CV  Henry J. Quanaim v. Allstate Insurance Co., AmeriCredit Finance Co., Martha Guerra and Debra L.
Odulaja
Appeal from 189th District Court of Harris County
Trial Court
Judge: Hon. William R. Burke, Jr.

DISMISS APPEAL: Per Curiam  (nonpayment of fees)
Before Chief Justice Radack, Justices Keyes and Higley
01-08-00241-CV        Victor Perez v. Tommie Davis
Appeal from County Civil Court at Law No 4 of Harris County

Criminal Causes Decided:

MODIFY TC JUDGMENT AND AFFIRM TC JUDGMENT AS MODIFIED:
Opinion by Justice Keyes  
Before Justices Taft, Keyes and Alcala
01-06-01084-CR        Joseph Tyrone Thompson v. The State of Texas
Appeal from 351st District Court of Harris County

AFFIRM TC JUDGMENT: Opinion by Justice Keyes  
Before Justices Taft, Keyes and Alcala
01-06-01085-CR        Joseph Tyrone Thompson v. The State of Texas
Appeal from 351st District Court of Harris County

AFFIRM TC JUDGMENT: Opinion by Justice Keyes
Before Chief Justice Radack, Justices Keyes and Higley
01-07-00255-CR        Charles Edward Serratt v. The State of Texas
Appeal from Co Crim Ct at Law No 11 of Harris County

AFFIRM TC JUDGMENT: Opinion by Justice Keyes  
Before Chief Justice Radack, Justices Keyes and Higley
01-07-00421-CR        Jonathan Daniel Ledbetter v. The State of Texas
Appeal from 405th District Court of Galveston County

AFFIRM TC JUDGMENT: Opinion by Chief Justice Radack
Before Chief Justice Radack, Justices Keyes and Higley
01-07-00473-CR        Juan Segueda v. The State of Texas
Appeal from 149th District Court of Brazoria County

DISMISS APPEAL: Per Curiam  
Before Justices Taft, Jennings and Bland
01-08-00184-CR        Ededem Edem v. The State of Texas
Appeal from 178th District Court of Harris County

July 10, 2008

Civil Causes Decided:

DISMISS APPEAL: Per Curiam  (dismissed by appellant)
Before Justices Nuchia, Alcala and Hanks
01-06-00005-CV        Southern Architectural Systems, Inc. ("SASI") v. Standard Glass & Mirror, Inc.
Appeal from 151st District Court of Harris County
Trial Court Judge: Hon. Caroline E. Baker

The Kroger Co. v. Persley (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] July 10, 2008)(Hanks)
(
premises liability, slip and fall suit, negligent activity)
REVERSE TC JUDGMENT AND RENDER JUDGMENT: Opinion by Justice Hanks  
Before Justices Nuchia, Hanks and Higley
01-06-00567-CV        The Kroger Company v. Sylvia R. Persley
Appeal from 129th District Court of Harris County
Trial Court
Judge: Hon. Grant Dorfman

Ambulatory Infusion Therapy Specialists, Inc. v. North American Administrators, Inc. (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] July
10, 2008)(Keyes) (
medical coverage law, health care coverage, claim denial, ERISA preemption,
breach of contract, promissory estoppel, summary judgment based on limitations, accrual of cause of action)
AFFIRM TC JUDGMENT: Opinion by
Justice Keyes  
Before Justices Taft, Keyes and Alcala
01-06-00756-CV Ambulatory Infusion Therapy Specialists, Inc. v. North American Administrators, Inc. d/b/a North
American Health Plans and Osmose, Inc.
Appeal from 125th District Court of Harris County
Trial Court
Judge:  Hon. John Coselli

DISMISS APPEAL: Per Curiam  (nonpayment)
Before Chief Justice Radack, Justices Keyes and Higley
01-08-00163-CV        Richard Van Meurs and Rosina Van Meurs v. Washington Mutual Bank, FA
Appeal from 165th District Court of Harris County

DISMISS APPEAL: Per Curiam  
Before Chief Justice Radack, Justices Keyes and Higley
01-08-00313-CV        Robert McLendon v. Houston Chronicle
Appeal from 55th District Court of Harris County

Criminal Causes Decided:

DISMISS APPEAL: Opinion by Justice Hanks  
(Before Justices Nuchia, Alcala and Hanks)
01-06-00807-CR        Rita Carol Mercer v. The State of Texas
Appeal from 240th District Court of Fort Bend County

AFFIRM TC JUDGMENT: Opinion by Justice Smith  
(Before Chief Justice Radack, Justices Higley and Smith)
01-07-00111-CR        Lowell Kent Stevens v. The State of Texas
Appeal from 177th District Court of Harris County

AFFIRM TC JUDGMENT: Opinion by Justice Higley  
(Before Chief Justice Radack, Justices Keyes and Higley)
01-07-00462-CR        Ronald Wayne Schofield v. The State of Texas
Appeal from 10th District Court of Galveston County

July 3, 2008

Civil Causes Decided:

The University of Houston v. Barth (Tex.App. - Houston [1st Dist.] July 3, 2008) (Higley)
(jury award in
Whistleblower suit reversed, case remanded for retrial)
REVERSE TC JUDGMENT AND REMAND CASE TO TC FOR FURTHER PROCEEDINGS: Opinion by
Justice Higley  
Before Justices Nuchia, Alcala and Higley
01-06-00490-CV The University of Houston v. Stephen Barth
Appeal from 113th District Court of Harris County
Trial Court
Judge: Hon. Patricia Hancock  
Dissenting Opinion by Justice Alcala  

DISMISS APPEAL: Per Curiam  (dismissal by appellant)
Before Chief Justice Radack, Justices Hanks and Higley
01-06-00722-CV David John Smith v. Penny Morris Smith
Appeal from 311th District Court of Harris County

Dadi v. Atlas Rehab Group, Inc. (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] July 3, 2008)(Alcala)
(
no further appeal from de novo review of small claims court judgment in county court)
DISMISS APPEAL: Opinion by Justice Alcala
Before Justices Nuchia, Alcala and Hanks
01-06-00922-CV Roghiyeh Dadi v. Atlas Rehab Group, Inc.
Appeal from
County Civil Court at Law No 3 of Harris County (Judge Bradshaw-Hull)

TransAmerica Occidental Life Insurance Company v. Rapid Settlements (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] July 3, 2008)
(Bland) (
confirmation of arbitration award against nonparty was error)
REVERSE TC JUDGMENT AND RENDER JUDGMENT: Opinion by Justice Bland  
Before Chief Justice Radack, Justices Jennings and Bland
01-07-00137-CV TransAmerica Occidental Life Insurance Company and TransAmerica Annuity Service Corporation v.
Rapid Settlements--Appeal from County Civil Court at Law No 1 of Harris County
Trial Court
Judge: Hon. Jack Cagle  

TransAmerica Occidental Life Insurance Company v. Rapid Settlements (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] July 3, 2008)
(Bland) (
restricted appeal, order confirming arbitration award)
REVERSE TC JUDGMENT AND RENDER JUDGMENT: Opinion by Justice Bland  
Before Chief Justice Radack, Justices Jennings and Bland
01-07-00195-CV Transamerica Occidental Life Insurance Company and Transamerica Annuity Service Corporation v.
Rapid Settlements, Ltd.
Appeal from County Civil Court at Law No 2 [?] of Harris County
Trial Court Judge:
Hon. R. Jack Cagle  

Unifund CCR Partners v. Gellatly (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] July 3, 2008)(Nuchia)
(
credit card suit by assignee against consumer, deemed admissions, sufficiency of summary judgment proof, breach of
contract and quantum meruit exclusive of each other)
AFFIRM TC JUDGMENT: Opinion by Justice Nuchia  
Before Justices Nuchia, Alcala and Hanks
01-07-00552-CV Unifund CCR Partners v. Sara Morgan Gellatly
Appeal from County Civil Court at Law No 4 of Harris County
Trial Court
Judge: Hon. Roberta A. Lloyd  

Rinn v. Wennenweser (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] July 3, 2008)(Jennings)
(
real estate law, easement dispute, validity)
AFFIRM TC JUDGMENT: Opinion by Justice Jennings  
Before Justices Taft, Jennings and Bland
01-07-00763-CV Leeland Rinn v. Max Wennenweser
Appeal from 155th District Court of Austin County
Trial Court Judge: Hon. Dan R. Beck  

DISMISS APPEAL: Per Curiam (dismissed by appellant)
Before Chief Justice Radack, Justices Taft and Higley
01-07-00874-CV Deborah Gautney v. Richard Gautney
Appeal from County Court at Law No 2 of Galveston County
Trial Court Judge: Hon. C. G. Dibrell, III  

Goldberg v. Commission for Lawyer Discipline (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] July 3, 2008)(Taft)
(
attorney disciplinary matter, jurisdiction re: disbarment where criminal conviction was set aside)
AFFIRM TC JUDGMENT: Opinion by Justice Taft  
Before Justices Taft, Jennings and Bland
01-07-01104-CV Daniel Goldberg v. Commission for Lawyer Discipline, and State Bar of Texas
Appeal from 295th District Court of Harris County
Trial Court Judge: Hon. Tracy Christopher
Concurring Opinion by Justice Jennings

Lakota Resources, Inc. v. Pathex Petroleum, Inc (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] July 3, 2008)(per curiam)
(reversed without regard to merits based on settlement agreement)
SET ASIDE TC JUDGMENT AND REMAND CASE TO TC FOR RENDITION OF JUDGMENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH
PARTIES' AGREEMENT: Per Curiam  
Before Chief Justice Radack, Justices Keyes and Alcala
01-08-00199-CV Lakota Resources, Inc. v. Pathex Petroleum, Inc. and ABQ Energy Group, Ltd.
Appeal from 164th District Court of Harris County
Trial Court
Judge: Hon. Martha Hill Jamison  

SET ASIDE TC JUDGMENT AND REMAND CASE TO TC FOR RENDITION OF JUDGMENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH
PARTIES' AGREEMENT: Per Curiam  
Before Chief Justice Radack, Justices Keyes and Alcala
01-08-00200-CV Lakota Resources, Inc. v. Pathex Petroleum, Inc. and ABQ Energy Group, Ltd.
Appeal from 164th District Court of Harris County
Trial Court Judge:
Hon. Martha Hill Jamison  

In re Lamar (Tex.App.- Houston [1st Dist.] July 3, 2008)(per curiam denial, interlocutory appeal available, special
appearance)
DENY PETITION FOR WRIT OF MANDAMUS: Per Curiam  
Before Justices Taft, Jennings and Bland
01-08-00384-CV In re John and Nanci Lamar
Appeal from
215th District Court of Harris County, Texas, the Hon. Levi Benton

Criminal Causes Decided:

AFFIRM TC JUDGMENT: Opinion by Justice Alcala  
(Before Justices Nuchia, Alcala and Hanks)
01-06-00930-CR Hollis Grizzard, III v. The State of Texas
Appeal from 23rd District Court of Brazoria County

AFFIRM TC JUDGMENT: Opinion by Justice Bland  
(Before Chief Justice Radack, Justices Jennings and Bland)
01-07-00290-CR Allan Santiago Smith v. The State of Texas
Appeal from 176th District Court of Harris County

AFFIRM TC JUDGMENT IN PART, REVERSE TC JUDGMENT IN PART, AND REMAND CASE TO TC FOR FURTHER
PROCEEDINGS: Opinion by Justice Bland  
(Before Chief Justice Radack, Justices Jennings and Bland)
01-07-00414-CR Brandon Kirk Lair v. The State of Texas
Appeal from 262nd District Court of Harris County

OPINION DISSENTING TO THIS COURT'S JUDGMENT: Opinion by Justice Jennings  
(Before Chief Justice Radack, Justices Jennings and Bland)
01-07-00414-CR Brandon Kirk Lair v. The State of Texas
Appeal from 262nd District Court of Harris County

AFFIRM TC JUDGMENT: Opinion by Chief Justice Radack  
(Before Chief Justice Radack, Justices Jennings and Bland)
01-07-00506-CR Jose Ventura Alonzo v. The State of Texas
Appeal from 180th District Court of Harris County

AFFIRM TC JUDGMENT: Opinion by Justice Jennings  
(Before Justices Taft, Jennings and Bland)
01-07-00509-CR Roger Lee Schooler v. The State of Texas
Appeal from 174th District Court of Harris County

DISMISS APPEAL: Opinion by Justice Bland  
(Before Chief Justice Radack, Justices Jennings and Bland)
01-07-00677-CR Richard Fitzgerald Barroso v. The State of Texas
Appeal from 268th District Court of Fort Bend County

DISMISS APPEAL: Opinion by Justice Bland  
(Before Chief Justice Radack, Justices Jennings and Bland)
01-07-00716-CR Richard Fitzgerald Barroso v. The State of Texas
Appeal from 268th District Court of Fort Bend County

AFFIRM TC JUDGMENT: Opinion by Justice Alcala  
(Before Justices Nuchia, Alcala and Hanks)
01-07-00769-CR Christopher Cardell Ceasar v. The State of Texas
Appeal from 177th District Court of Harris County

AFFIRM TC JUDGMENT: Opinion by Justice Bland  
(Before Justices Taft, Jennings and Bland)
01-07-00780-CR Leon Lugo Andrade v. The State of Texas
Appeal from 263rd District Court of Harris County

AFFIRM TC JUDGMENT: Opinion by Justice Alcala  
(Before Justices Nuchia, Alcala and Hanks)
01-07-00799-CR Wen Ping Tong v. The State of Texas
Appeal from 248th District Court of Harris County

MODIFY TC JUDGMENT AND AFFIRM TC JUDGMENT AS MODIFIED: Opinion by Justice Jennings  
(Before Justices Taft and Jennings, The Honorable Hudson)
01-07-00830-CR Pamela Diana Wilburn aka Susan Broussard v. The State of Texas
Appeal from 177th District Court of Harris County

AFFIRM TC JUDGMENT: Opinion by Justice Alcala  
(Before Justices Nuchia, Alcala and Hanks)
01-07-01028-CR Christopher Cardell Ceasar v. The State of Texas
Appeal from 177th District Court of Harris County

AFFIRM TC JUDGMENT: Opinion by Justice Higley
(Before Chief Justice Radack, Justices Keyes and Higley)
01-07-01029-CR Antonio Martinez Aviles v. The State of Texas
Appeal from 338th District Court of Harris County

DISMISS PETITION FOR WRIT OF MANDAMUS: Per Curiam  
(Before Justices Nuchia, Alcala and Hanks)
01-08-00315-CR In re Steven Duane Cathcart
Appeal from 248th District Court of Harris County

July 1, 2008

Civil Causes Decided:

Dissenting Opinion by Keyes in In re Walker (Tex.App.- Houston 2008)
(
termination of parental rights, jurisdiction, dismissal)
OPINION DISSENTING TO THIS COURT'S JUDGMENT: Dissenting Opinion by Justice Keyes  
Before Justices Taft, Jennings and Bland
01-08-00348-CV In re Kristal Timish Walker a/k/a Kristal Timisha Walker
Appeal from 314th District Court of Harris County
Trial Court Judge: Hon. John Phillips  

Criminal Causes Decided:  None  
CIVIL, FAMILY, AND
JUVENILE STATE DISTRICT
COURTS IN HARRIS COUNTY
11th DC Judge Mark Davidson  
55th DC
Judge Jeff Shadwick
61st DC Judge John Donovan
80th DC Hon. Lynn Bradshaw-Hull
113th DC Judge Patricia Hancock
125th DC Judge John Coselli
127th DC Judge Sharolyn Wood
129th DC Judge Grant Dorfman
133rd DC Judge Lamar McCorkle
151st DC Judge Caroline E. Baker
152nd DC Judge Kenneth Wise
157th DC Judge Randall Wilson
164th DC Hon. Martha Hill Jamison
165th DC Judge Elizabeth Ray
189th  DC Judge Bill Burke
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215th DC Judge Levi Benton
234th DC  Judge Reece Rondon
245th DC  Judge Annette Kuntz
246th DC Judge Jim York
247th DC Judge Bonnie  Hellums
257th DC  Judge Judy Warne
269th DC Hon. John T. Wooldridge
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309th DC Judge Frank Rynd
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