TX Courts

Navigator Group v. Susan Davis Van Dyke - Oil & Gas Deed Interpretation

The Texas Court of Appeals affirmed a lower court's decision in Navigator Group v. Susan Davis Van Dyke, interpreting a 1924 deed's mineral reservation. The court determined the reservation of "one-half of one-eighth" meant one-half of the grantors' mineral interest, not merely one-sixteenth of the total minerals.

Castro v. State of Texas - Continuous Sexual Abuse of Child

The Texas Court of Appeals, 1st District, affirmed a lower court's judgment against Juan Alberto Castro. Castro was found guilty of continuous sexual abuse of a child and sentenced to thirty years confinement. The court addressed multiple issues raised by the appellant regarding prosecutorial misconduct, ineffective assistance of counsel, and evidentiary rulings.

Kildow v. Texas - Habeas Corpus Application Granted

The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals granted Lonard Kildow's habeas corpus application, allowing him an out-of-time appeal for a conviction of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. The court ordered the trial court to determine indigency and appoint counsel if requested, with a notice of appeal due within thirty days of the court's mandate.

Martinez v. State - Habeas Corpus Relief Granted

The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals granted habeas corpus relief to Ramiro Martinez, reforming his sentence for capital murder. The court found that his juvenile status at the time of the offense, coupled with the Eighth Amendment, necessitated a sentence modification.

Gallamore George Stanley - Out of Time Appeal Granted

The Court of Criminal Appeals of Texas granted an out-of-time appeal for George Stanley Gallamore in case WR-97,273-01. The court found that Gallamore was denied his right to an appeal due to a breakdown in the system, specifically counsel's failure to timely file a notice of appeal.

Seeger Justin Uriah - Habeas Corpus Out of Time PDR Granted

The Court of Criminal Appeals of Texas granted an out-of-time petition for discretionary review for Justin Uriah Seeger. This decision stems from a finding that his appellate counsel's performance was deficient in failing to timely inform him of his conviction affirmation and his right to file a pro se petition.

Kendrick v. Texas - Out of Time Appeal Granted

The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals granted Eric Robert Kendrick an out-of-time appeal. The court found that counsel failed to timely file a notice of appeal, thus denying Kendrick his right to an appeal. He may now file an out-of-time appeal for his conviction.

Privilege Underwriters Reciprocal Exchange v. Mankoff - Insurance Windstorm Interpretation

The Texas Supreme Court reversed a lower court's decision in Privilege Underwriters Reciprocal Exchange v. Mankoff, ruling that a tornado damage claim is subject to the policy's "Windstorm or Hail Deductible." The court reinstated the trial court's judgment favoring the insurer.

Morrison v. Morrison - Divorce Decree Enforcement Case

The Texas Supreme Court reversed an appeals court decision in Morrison v. Morrison, remanding a divorce decree enforcement case to the trial court. The court found that while the trial court had jurisdiction to enforce the decree, it erred in reallocating property proceeds without evidence of damages.

Umphress v. Steel - Texas Supreme Court Certified Question

The Texas Supreme Court denied a motion for rehearing in Umphress v. Steel, clarifying its previous ruling on a certified question from the Fifth Circuit. The court reiterated its 'no' answer regarding whether judges can refuse to perform same-sex weddings for religious reasons while still performing opposite-sex weddings.