in Re: Christy and Kory Hill ( 2015 )


Menu:
  •                                                                                   ACCEPTED
    12-15-00115-CV
    TWELFTH COURT OF APPEALS
    TYLER, TEXAS
    5/1/2015 3:10:30 PM
    CATHY LUSK
    CLERK
    NO. ___________________
    __________________________________________________________________
    FILED IN
    12th COURT OF APPEALS
    IN THE COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE TWELFTH DISTRICT,         TYLER,
    TYLER,  TEXAS
    TEXAS                5/1/2015 3:10:30 PM
    __________________________________________________________________
    CATHY S. LUSK
    Clerk
    IN RE CHRISTY AND KORY HILL, Relators
    __________________________________________________________________
    From the 188th District Court for Gregg County, Texas
    Cause No. 2014-2357-A
    Honorable David Brabham, Presiding Judge
    __________________________________________________________________
    PETITION FOR WRIT OF MANDAMUS
    __________________________________________________________________
    Jonathan Wharton
    SNOW E. BUSH, JR., P.C.
    Texas State Bar No. 24075764
    420 N. Center Street
    Longview, TX 75601
    Tel. (903) 753-7006
    Fax (903) 753-7278
    jonathanwharton1@sbcglobal.net
    ATTORNEY FOR RELATORS
    CHRISTY AND KORY HILL
    May 1, 2015
    IDENTITY OF PARTIES AND COUNSEL
    Pursuant to Rule 38.1(a) of the Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure, Appellant
    lists the following parties affected by this appeal, and their respective appellate and
    trial counsel:
    Relators: Christy and Kory Hill
    Jonathan Wharton
    Snow E. Bush, Jr., P.C.
    420 N. Center Street
    Longview, TX 75601
    Tel. 903.753.7006
    Fax 903.753.7278
    jonathanwharton1@sbcglobal.net
    Trial and Appellate Counsel for Christy and Kory Hill
    Respondent: Hon. David Brabham
    188th District Court of Gregg County, Texas
    101 E. Methvin, Suite 408
    Longview, TX 75601
    Trial Court
    Real Parties in Interest: Andrew Shaw and Daniel Shaw
    T. Heath Chamness
    White Shaver
    205 W. Locust
    Tyler, TX 75702
    Tel. 903.533.9447
    Fax 903.595.3766
    hchamness@whiteshaverlaw.com
    Trial Counsel for Andrew Shaw and Daniel Shaw
    1
    TABLE OF CONTENTS
    IDENTITY OF PARTIES AND COUNSEL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
    TABLE OF CONTENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
    INDEX OF AUTHORITIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
    STATEMENT OF THE CASE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
    STATEMENT OF JURISDICTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
    NO REQUEST FOR ORAL ARGUMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
    ISSUES PRESENTED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
    STATEMENT OF FACTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
    SUMMARY OF THE ARGUMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
    ARGUMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
    PRAYER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
    CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
    APPENDIX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
    2
    INDEX OF AUTHORITIES
    STATUTES
    Tex. Gov’t Code § 22.221(a) and Rule 52.1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
    Tex. Bus. Prac. & Comm. Code §§ 17.46(b)(5), (6), (7), (13), and (22). . . . . . . . . . .7
    Tex. Bus. Prac. & Comm. Code § 17.50(b). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
    Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 41.011(a)(6). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
    Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 33.004(l). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
    RULES
    Tex. R. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 33.004(g). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
    CASES
    Lunsford v. Morris, 
    746 S.W.2d 471
    , 473 (Tex. 1988). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10, 12
    Tony Gullo Motors I, L.P. v. Chapa, 
    212 S.W.3d 299
    , 304 (Tex. 2006) (fraud). .11
    Winkle Chevy-Olds-Pontiac v. Condon, 
    830 S.W.2d 740
    , 744 (Tex.App.—Corpus
    Christi 1992, writ dism’d). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
    11 Walker v
    . Packer, 
    827 S.W.2d 833
    , 843 (Tex. 1992) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
    In re City of Houston, No. 14-12-00861-CV at *11-12 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th
    Dist.] 2013, no pet.) (mem. op.) (orig. proceeding). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
    Soon Phat, L.P. v. Alvarado, 
    396 S.W.3d 78
    , 109 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th
    Dist.] 2013, pet. denied). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
    3
    Suntide Sandpit, Inc. v. H&H Sand and Gravel, Inc., No. 13-11-00323-CV at *11
    (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi, pet. denied) (mem. op.). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
    In re Colonial Pipeline Co., 
    968 S.W.2d 938
    , 943 (Tex. 1998). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
    In re Unitec Elevator Serv. Co., 
    178 S.W.3d 53
    , 62 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st
    Dist] 2005, no pet.) (orig. proceeding) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
    Prudential Ins. Co. of Am. v. Jefferson Assocs., Ltd., 
    896 S.W.2d 156
    , 161 (Tex.
    1995). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
    Broomfield v. Parker, No. 12-06-00208-CV (Tex. App.—Tyler 2007, no pet.)
    (mem. op.) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
    4
    STATEMENT OF THE CASE
    Relators filed this lawsuit against the Real Parties-in-Interest (operating as
    Engines Unlimited) arising out of a dispute over car repairs. Tab 1. Relators pleaded
    causes of action for fraud and conversion, among others (including DTPA violations).
    Tab 1. They then sought net-worth discovery from the defendants. Tab 3. The
    defendants objected with the following: “Defendant objects to providing any
    information regarding net worth because § 17.50 of the DTPA does not allow for the
    recovery of punitive damages.” Tabs 4 & 5. The defendants also moved to join the
    used car dealer as a responsible third party. Tab 6. Relators objected to that
    designation and set a hearing for both the net-worth discovery issue and the objection
    to the designation of a responsible third party. Tab 7. The trial court refused to allow
    Relators discovery on net worth. Tab 10. It also overruled Relators’ objections to the
    designation of a responsible third party. Tab 10 at 20.
    STATEMENT OF JURISDICTION
    This Court has jurisdiction in this original proceeding pursuant to Tex. Gov’t
    Code § 22.221(a) and Rule 52.1 of the Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure.
    NO REQUEST FOR ORAL ARGUMENT
    Because the case is guided by simple and well-established rules, oral argument
    would not benefit the court’s decision-making.
    5
    ISSUES PRESENTED
    1.    Did the trial court abuse its discretion by refusing to allow the plaintiff to
    conduct discovery on the defendants’ net worth?
    2.    Did the trial court abuse its discretion by allowing the defendants to
    designate a responsible third party without stating a claim for relief against
    that third party?
    STATEMENT OF FACTS
    The Plaintiffs’ filed this case alleging causes of action for fraud and
    conversion, among others, against the Defendants. Tab 1. The following facts were
    alleged:
    In March of 2014, Mr. And Mrs. Hill purchased a 2006 Dodge
    Ram for approximately $13,000 from a used car dealer. Within a
    couple weeks, it had broken down due to a problem with the engine.
    The dealership recommended they take it to Andrew Shaw and Daniel
    Shaw, operating as Engines Unlimited, who gave them a $5,500
    estimate for the repair. The Hills agreed and gave them the car to fix.
    Over the course of five months, the Defendants collected over
    $12,000 from the Hills, but instead of fixing the car, they damaged it,
    let it sit, and ultimately refused to return the car on request. The Hills
    were charged for problems with the car that did not exist at the time
    the truck was brought to the Defendants. Unnecessary parts were
    ordered and charged to the Hills in order to inflate the bill.
    Eventually, when the Hills tried to pick up the truck to take to
    another repair shop, the Defendants told the Hills that even though
    they had paid the entire bill, and the repairs had not been completed,
    the Hills could not take the truck unless they signed a release of
    liability for the Shaws and their company.
    Tab 1. The petition went on to state the specific claims made: “Defendants ANDREW
    6
    SHAW D/B/A ENGINES UNLIMITED and DANIEL SHAW are liable for
    conversion, trespass to chattel, DTPA violations under Tex. Bus. Prac. & Comm.
    Code §§ 17.46(b)(5), (6), (7), (13), and (22), negligence, gross negligence, fraud, and
    breach of contract.” Tab 1. The following categories of damages were requested:
    “The Plaintiff is entitled to recovery of actual damages, both past and future,
    including loss of use, the market value of the car, reasonable attorney’s fees, costs of
    court, expenses, punitive damages, and treble damages under the DTPA by Tex. Bus.
    Prac. & Comm. Code § 17.50(b).” Tab 1.
    The Plaintiffs sent discovery requests on net worth to the Defendants. Tab 3.
    The Defendants objected to every request, stating “Defendant objects to providing
    any information regarding net worth because § 17.50 of the DTPA does not allow for
    the recovery of punitive damages.” Tabs 4 & 5. The Defendants also moved to
    designate JCT Auto Sales, the used car lot, as a responsible third party for failing to
    disclose the condition of the truck to the Plaintiffs even though it was sold “as is.”
    Tab 6.
    At the hearing, no testimony or evidence was submitted to the trial court. Tab
    10. The Defendants’ attorney reassured the trial court that he has been practicing for
    over ten years and knows when the punitive damages issue is applicable and when it
    is not. Tab 10 at 5-6. He argued that “The issue in this case is that there are various
    7
    causes of action that have been filed by the Plaintiff that there's not a recovery for
    punitive damages.” Tab 10 at 6. “The other issue is a reasonableness standard, Your
    Honor. My client has a million dollar insurance policy. Even if this case -- they could
    recover the full cost of the vehicle, which they didn't buy from us, plus all of the cost
    of repairs, they would have to get a verdict 40 times the amount of damages before
    they would even get into beyond past the policy of insurance that's covered.” Tab 10
    at 6-7. “Basically, what it comes down to is, I am not in any way representing to this
    Court that there will never come a time where the net worth information would be
    relevant and would be discoverable. But at this point in time, based on the fact that
    there are various causes of action which you can't even recover punitive damages on,
    if this case went to court tomorrow I'm virtually certain I could defeat a conversion
    claim.” Tab 10 at 7. He filed the motion to designate just so that he could conduct
    discovery. Tab 10 at 7.
    The trial court denied the Plaintiffs request for net-worth discovery. Tab 10 at
    10. It also granted the Defendants’ motion for leave to designate JCT Auto Sales as
    a responsible third party. Tab 10 at 20; Tab 11.
    SUMMARY OF THE ARGUMENT
    Net-worth discovery is a matter of well-established law. If a plaintiff pleads a
    cause of action that allows for the recovery of punitive damages, the plaintiff may
    8
    conduct discovery on the defendant’s net worth. There is no evidentiary hurdle: so
    long as a cause of action is pled, the discovery may be conducted. The only
    exceptions would be for excessively burdensome or harassing requests, but no
    evidence has been presented on those issues.
    An order denying discovery that goes to the heart of a party’s case has no
    adequate remedy at law. Because the net worth of the Defendants’ goes to the heart
    of the Plaintiff’s punitive damages case, there is no adequate remedy at law for the
    trial court’s denial of discovery on the issue.
    Additionally, in the interest of judicial economy, if a mandamus is granted, an
    appellate court should correct other errors in the case that would normally have an
    adequate remedy at law. The designation of JCT Auto Sales as a responsible third
    party is clearly improper, since the Defendants’ designation does not plead sufficient
    facts to allege responsibility of JCT Auto Sales. Even if JCT Auto Sales had sold the
    truck in a broken condition, it was sold “as is.” Without any allegation of fraudulent
    inducement of the “as is” clause, the car lot is not liable. Also, the fact that the
    Plaintiffs bought a damaged car is the reason repairs were needed, but it has nothing
    to do with the Defendants overcharging for work, failing to do any work, damaging
    the car further, and then refusing to return the truck. There is no reason why the seller
    of the car would be responsible for the damage the Defendants did to the car.
    9
    ARGUMENT
    I.    Discovery of Defendants’ Net Worth
    A.     Introduction
    The Plaintiffs filed this case for a variety of causes of action, including fraud
    and conversion. The underlying facts were pled in the “FACTS” section, and those
    causes of action were specifically listed in the “LIABILITY” section. Tab 1. Since
    that placed net worth at issue, the Plaintiffs served discovery requests seeking net
    worth information from the Defendants. Tab 3. The Defendants objected, arguing that
    the DTPA (one of several causes of action asserted in the petition) does not allow for
    the recovery of punitive damages. Tabs 4 & 5. After the Plaintiffs filed a motion to
    compel responses, the trial court ruled that the Plaintiffs are not entitled to discover
    net worth information. Tab 10 at 10. The trial court would not allow net worth
    discovery unless the Relators met an evidentiary threshhold: “I'm going to deny the
    Motion to Compel at this time. It may be later as the trial develops that it would be
    more appropriate to order the net worth to be discovered, but I'm going to deny it at
    this time.” Tab 10 at 10.
    B.     Law
    “[I]n cases in which punitive or exemplary damages may be awarded, parties
    may discover and offer evidence of a defendant's net worth.” Lunsford v. Morris, 746
    
    10 S.W.2d 471
    , 473 (Tex. 1988) (orig. proceeding). There is no evidentiary threshhold
    hurdle to cross. 
    Id. Plaintiffs do
    not have to prove that they will recover punitive
    damages, they just have to plead it. 
    Id. Fraud and
    conversion both allow for the
    recovery of punitive damages. Tony Gullo Motors I, L.P. v. Chapa, 
    212 S.W.3d 299
    ,
    304 (Tex. 2006) (fraud); Winkle Chevy-Olds-Pontiac v. Condon, 
    830 S.W.2d 740
    ,
    744 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi 1992, writ dism’d) (conversion). Those claims have
    been pled, as well as punitive damages. Failing to order responses to net-worth
    discovery in this situation is a clear abuse of discretion.
    Relators have no adequate remedy at law. An order denying discovery that goes
    to the heart of the case does not have an adequate remedy at law. Walker v. Packer,
    
    827 S.W.2d 833
    , 843 (Tex. 1992). At least one court of appeals has held that evidence
    which must be considered in calculating damages “goes to the heart of the claim for
    damages.” In re City of Houston, No. 14-12-00861-CV at *11-12 (Tex.
    App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2013, no pet.) (mem. op.) (orig. proceeding). That logic
    is straightforward: since the evidence in question is required by law to be introduced,
    deprivation of discovery on that issue guarantees a new trial on appeal.
    In the City of Houston case, the plaintiff’s damage model in an inverse
    condemnation case was based on lost profits. 
    Id. at *11.
    The calculation of lost profits
    is done by taking expected profits and subtracting actual profits. 
    Id. at *12.
    11
    Obviously, finding the “actual profits” requires the accounting of actual income and
    actual expenses on the properties. See 
    id. The plaintiff
    sold one of the lots and was
    building a home on another, which would tend to prove actual income and actual
    expenses on the properties. 
    Id. Similarly, net
    worth evidence goes to the heart of the issue of punitive
    damages. “That which could be an enormous penalty to one may be but a mere
    annoyance to another.” Lunsford v. Morris, 
    746 S.W.2d 471
    , 472 (Tex.1988). It is “as
    relevant to the defendant to prove low net worth as it is to the plaintiff to prove the
    defendant's high net worth.” Soon Phat, L.P. v. Alvarado, 
    396 S.W.3d 78
    , 109 (Tex.
    App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2013, pet. denied). It is explicitly listed as a factor the
    trier “shall” consider by staute. Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 41.011(a)(6). Failing
    to provide evidence on those statutory factors precludes the recovery of punitive
    damages. Suntide Sandpit, Inc. v. H&H Sand and Gravel, Inc., No. 13-11-00323-CV
    at *11 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi, pet. denied) (mem. op.).
    II.   Designation of Responsible Third Party
    A.     Introduction
    The Defendants moved for leave to designate the car lot that sold the truck to
    the Plaintiffs as a responsible third party even though the truck was sold “as is.” Tab
    3. In the motion, the Defendants alleged that the car lot is liable despite the “as is”
    12
    clause because it was negligent in failing to disclose the pre-existing condition of the
    truck. Tab 3. The Defendants alleged that the defects in the car existed before the
    sale, but they did not allege that the car lot even knew about them: “Defendants
    contend that the truck was sold to Plaintiffs in a defective condition and said defects
    were not disclosed to Plaintiffs at the time of the sale.” Tab 3. The Plaintiffs timely
    objected, arguing two points. Tab 7. First, the Defendants had not pled sufficient facts
    to negate the “as is” clause. Tab 7. Second, the fact that the truck was broken when
    purchased has nothing to do with the Defendants’ liability: the truck would not have
    needed repairs if it were not broken, but the Defendants are being sued for failing to
    fix it properly, not for the fact that it was broken when purchased. Tab 7. The trial
    court overruled the objections and granted the Defendants leave to designate the third
    party. Tab 11.
    B.     Law
    Ordinarily, the decision to designate a responsible third party would not be
    correctable by mandamus, as there are more than adequate remedies at law, such as
    a motion to strike. Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 33.004(l). Nevertheless, in the
    interest of judicial economy, if mandamus issues to correct one error, other errors in
    the case should be corrected as well. In re Colonial Pipeline Co., 
    968 S.W.2d 938
    ,
    943 (Tex. 1998).
    13
    In order to designate a responsible third party, a defendant must plead
    sufficient facts concerning the alleged responsibility of the person to satisfy the
    pleading requirements of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure. In other words, the facts
    as pled in the motion for leave to designate are reviewed for legal sufficiency. In re
    Unitec Elevator Serv. Co., 
    178 S.W.3d 53
    , 62 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist] 2005,
    no pet.) (orig. proceeding) (“[I]n determining whether to grant relators' motion for
    leave to designate Southwestern Bell as a responsible third party, the trial court was
    restricted to evaluating the sufficiency of the facts pleaded by relators and was not
    permitted to engage in an analysis of the truth of the allegations or consider evidence
    on Southwestern Bell's ultimate liability.”). The Defendants’ designation fails
    because it does not state any right to recovery against the alleged responsible third
    party. The Defendants designated the car lot that sold the Plaintiffs the truck as a
    responsible third party, but they do not explain why that car lot would be responsible
    for any damages the Plaintiffs may recover against the Defendants.
    First, the Plaintiffs bought the truck “as is,” which is a complete defense
    against claims based on the condition of the truck, absent fraudulent inducement of
    the “as is” clause. Prudential Ins. Co. of Am. v. Jefferson Assocs., Ltd., 
    896 S.W.2d 156
    , 161 (Tex. 1995) (“The ‘as is’ agreement negates causation essential to recovery
    on all the theories Goldman asserts—DTPA violations, fraud (excluding, of course,
    14
    fraud in the inducement of the ‘as is’ agreement, which Goldman does not assert),
    negligence, and breach of the duty of good faith and fair dealing.”); Broomfield v.
    Parker, No. 12-06-00208-CV (Tex. App.—Tyler 2007, no pet.) (mem. op.) (“Because
    Parker purchased the vehicle ‘as is,’ she was precluded from proving that any acts by
    the Broomfields were a producing cause of her damages. Furthermore, the record
    contains no evidence that the Broomfields committed any acts that were false,
    misleading, or deceptive. Therefore, the evidence was legally insufficient to support
    the trial court's judgment [for the plaintiff].”) (citatons omitted). The Defendants did
    not allege fraudulent inducement of the “as is” agreement, so their designation does
    not plead sufficient facts to allege responsibility for the car lot.
    Second, the fact that the Plaintiffs bought a damaged car is the reason repairs
    were needed, but it has nothing to do with the Defendants overcharging for work,
    failing to do any work, damaging the car further, and then refusing to return the truck.
    There is no reason why the seller of the car would be responsible for the damage the
    Defendants did to the car.
    C.     Conclusion
    Even though the Defendants did not plead sufficient facts concerning the
    alleged responsibility of the person to satisfy the pleading requirement of the Texas
    Rules of Civil Procedure, they still must be given leave to replead. See Tex. R. Civ.
    15
    Prac. & Rem. Code § 33.004(g). The Defendants must be given that opportunity; if
    they do not plead sufficient facts on their second try, their motion to designate must
    be denied. See 
    id. PRAYER WHEREFORE,
    PREMISES CONSIDERED, Relator, Christy and Kory Hill,
    respectfully request that this court issue a Writ of Mandamus ordering the Honorable
    David Brabham to allow Relators to conduct discovery on the issue of net worth and
    to deny the Real Parties-in-Interest their motion for leave to designate JCT Auto Sales
    as a responsible third party unless they are able to replead sufficient facts to satisfy
    the pleading requirements of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure.
    Respectfully submitted,
    SNOW E. BUSH, JR., P.C.
    420 N. Center Street
    Longview, TX 75601
    Tel. (903) 753-7006
    Fax. (903) 753-7278
    E-mail: jonathanwharton1@sbcglobal.net
    /s/ Jonathan Wharton
    By:___________________________
    JONATHAN WHARTON
    STATE BAR NO. 24075764
    ATTORNEY FOR RELATORS,
    CHRISTY AND KORY HILL
    16
    CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
    I hereby certify that a true and correct copy of the above and foregoing has
    been delivered to Heath Chamness, counsel for the Real Parties-in-Interest, on this
    the 1st day of May, 2015.
    /s/ Jonathan Wharton
    JONATHAN WHARTON
    CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE
    I hereby certify that the Petition for Writ of Mandamus (as measured under
    Tex. R. App. P. 9.4(i)(1)) contains 2,627 words as counted by Microsoft WordPerfect
    on this the 1st day of May, 2015.
    /s/ Jonathan Wharton
    JONATHAN WHARTON
    17
    NO. ___________________
    __________________________________________________________________
    IN THE COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE TWELFTH DISTRICT, TYLER,
    TEXAS
    __________________________________________________________________
    IN RE CHRISTY AND KORY HILL, Relators
    __________________________________________________________________
    From the 188th District Court for Gregg County, Texas
    Cause No. 2014-2357-A
    Honorable David Brabham, Presiding Judge
    __________________________________________________________________
    APPENDIX IN SUPPORT OF PETITION FOR WRIT OF MANDAMUS
    __________________________________________________________________
    Original Petition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Tab 1
    Defendants’ Answer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tab 2
    Plaintiffs’ Motion to Compel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Tab 3
    Defendants’ Response to Plaintiff’s Second Request for Production . . . . . . . . Tab 4
    Defendants’ Response to Plaintiff’s Second Set of Interrogatories . . . . . . . . . Tab 5
    Motion to Designate Responsible Third Party . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tab 6
    Plaintiffs’ Objection to Designation of Responsible Third Party . . . . . . . . . . . .Tab 7
    Plaintiffs’ Supplement to its Motion to Compel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Tab 8
    Affidavit of Jonathan Wharton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tab 9
    Transcript of Hearing on March 30, 2015 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tab 10
    18
    Order Granting Defendants’ Motion to Designate Responsible Third Party . . Tab 11
    19