April 2024 District & County Court Jury Trials Update

CAUSE NO:                           D1GN19006920; Lucy’s Kitchen #2 LLC v. Taylor Plaza, LLC

JUDGE:                                    JESSICA MANGRUM

DATES:                                     April 1 – 3, 2024                

ATTORNEYS:     

                  Plaintiff:                Russell Frost, Law Office of Russell Frost, PLLC

                  Defendant:          Brian Buster, Hajjar Peters, LLP

SUMMARY: Jury found that the defendant failed to comply with the repair obligations under the lease, committed fraud, and awarded exemplary damages. Unanimous verdict

CAUSE NO:                           D1GN21006752; David Martin v. Sunbelt Rentals, Inc., Jose Lopez

JUDGE:                                    AMY CLARK MEACHUM

DATES:                                     April _ - 10, 2024

ATTORNEYS

                  Plaintiff:                Nicholas J. Testa, The Testa Law Group

                  Defendant:          Spencer E. Dunn, Lanza Law Firm, PC

SUMMARY: Jury found that all the parties contributed to the plaintiff’s injury caused by a motor vehicle accident with a majority on the co-defendant, Jose Lopez. Damages awarded. Non-unanimous jury – 10 for verdict.

CAUSE NO.:                         D1GN20007756; Walter E. Reifslager III, Ellen Reifslager and Matthew Reifslager v. Kathleen Spruiell

JUDGE:                                    MARIA CANTU HEXSEL

DATES:                                     April 15 - 18, 2024

ATTORNEYS

    Plaintiff:            Chris Bell, Braun & Gresham PLLC

    Defendant:     Darrell Cockcroft, Thompson, Coe, Cousins & Irons, LLP

SUMMARY:                             Jury found that both the plaintiff and defendant were responsible for the plaintiff’s injury caused by a motor vehicle accident. Damages awarded. Non-unanimous jury – 11 for verdict.

CAUSE NO.                           D1GN17002512; SUSAN CHAMBERS, AS EXECUTOR OF THE ESTATE OF MARILYN CRAWFORD, DECEASED V. WILLIAM D. SHEA and MAGGIE MAE’S – A BRITISH PUB, INC.

JUDGE:                                    MAYA GUERRA GAMBLE

DATES:                                     April 15 - 23, 2024

ATTORNEYS:

    Plaintiff:            Gary T. Cornwell, The Cornwell Law Firm

    Defendant:     Eric Dowdy, Hajjar Peters, LLP

SUMMARY: Jury found that the parties had an agreement regarding Maggie Mae’s and that the defendant failed to comply with the terms of the agreement. Damages awarded. Non-unanimous jury – 10 for verdict.

CAUSE NO.                           C1CV21000818; DELICIA VASQUEZ, PLAINTIFF v. FRED BUSH IV, KIMBERLY PARKER, DEFENDANT

JUDGE:                                    TODD WONG

DATES:                                     April 30, 2024

ATTORNEYS:

    Plaintiff:            Gary T. Cornwell, The Cornwell Law Firm

    Defendant:     Eric Dowdy, Hajjar Peters, LLP

SUMMARY: Jury found that the defendant was responsible for the plaintiff’s injuries due to a motor vehicle accident. Damages awarded. Unanimous jury.

CAUSE NO.                           D1GN21005895; CHERYL SHORT v. JOIE CURTNER, JR.

JUDGE:                                    JAN SOIFER

DATES:                                     April 16 - 18, 2024

ATTORNEYS:

    Plaintiff:            Gagandeer K. Seth, Duke Seth, PLLC

    Defendant:     Amanda James, Tyson & Mendes, LLP

SUMMARY: Jury found that the Plaintiff was responsible for the motor vehicle accident. Non -unanimous jury – 11 for verdict.

CAUSE NO.                           D1GN20004306; EDUARDO PACHECO v. HK PROPANE LLC, HK CYLINDER EXCHANGE, LLC AND RODOLFO RUIZ

JUDGE:                                    KARIN CRUMP

DATES:                                     April 16 - 19, 2024

ATTORNEYS:

    Plaintiff:            Eoin Tinney, Thomas J. Henry Law, PLLC

    Defendant:     Matthew R. Gelina, Hartline Barger, LLP

SUMMARY: Jury found that all the parties contributed to the plaintiff’s injury caused by a motor vehicle accident with 90% on the defendant, Jose Lopez. No gross negligence found. Damages awarded. Non-unanimous jury – 10 for verdict.

CRIMINAL

CAUSE NO.:       D1DC21201455; STATE OF TEXAS v. RICARDO VASQUEZ

JUDGE:                  SELENA AVARLENGA

DATES:                   April 15 - 19, 2024

ATTORNEYS:

                  Defendant:          Juan Antonio and Ricardo Vasquez Lopez

                  State of Texas: Matthew Foye, Travis County DA Office

Summary: Mistrial declared on 4/19/24               

CAUSE NO.:       D1DC23900134; STATE OF TEXAS v. DEDDRICK AMERSON

JUDGE:                  JULIE KOCUREK

DATES:                   April 15 - 17, 2024

ATTORNEYS:

                  Defendant:          Robb Shepherd and J.D. Slaughter, JD Slaughter Law, PLLC

                  State of Texas: Nancy Marie Nemer, Travis County DA Office

Summary: Defendant found Guilty of Murder

CAUSE NO.:       D1DC22301215; STATE OF TEXAS v. JASON LATZKO

JUDGE:                  DAVID CRAIN

DATES:                   April 22 - 26, 2024

ATTORNEYS:

                  Defendant:          Richard Gentry, The Law Office of Richard Gentry, LLC

                  State of Texas: Shannon White, Travis County DA Office

Summary: Mistrial declared on 4/26/24

CAUSE NO.:       D1DC20900044; STATE OF TEXAS v. JESUS BELTRAN

JUDGE:                  BRAD URRUTIA

DATES:                   April 22 - 24, 2024

ATTORNEYS:

                  Defendant:          Eric Lee McDonald

                  State of Texas: Kim Ahrum, Travis County DA Office

Summary: Mistrial declared on 4/24/24