Evangelos Pagonis v. Catherine Thomas ( 2015 )

ACCEPTED
07-15-00090-cv
SEVENTH COURT OF APPEALS
AMARILLO, TEXAS
6/22/2015 7:06:57 PM
Vivian Long, Clerk
No. 07-15-00090-CV
_______________________________________________
FILED IN
7th COURT OF APPEALS
IN THE SEVENTH COURT OF APPEALS AMARILLO, TEXAS
__________________________________________________
6/22/2015 7:06:57 PM
VIVIAN LONG
EVANGELOS PAGONIS CLERK
Appellant-Petitioner
v.
CATHERINE THOMAS
Appellee-Respondent
________________________________________________
On appeal from the 69th Judicial District
Court of Hartley County, Texas; No. 645
_________________________________________________
BRIEF OF APPELLEE
_________________________________________________
KEN PAXTON JOHNATHAN STONE
Attorney General of Texas Assistant Attorney General
Texas Bar No. 24071779
CHARLES ROY Post Office Box 12548
First Assistant Attorney General Austin, Texas 78711-2548
Telephone: (512) 463-2080
Facsimile: (512) 936-2109
JAMES DAVIS
Deputy Attorney General for Civil Litigation
* No oral argument requested
KAREN D. MATLOCK
Chief of Law Enforcement Defense Division
ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE
IDENTITIES OF PARTIES AND COUNSEL
Appellant
Evangelos Pagonis
TDCJ No. 1626253
Dalhart Unit
11950 FM 998
Dalhart, TX 79022
Pro Se Appellant
Appellee
Catherine Thomas
c/o Johnathan Stone
Law Enforcement Defense Division
Office of the Attorney General of Texas
Post Office Box 12548
Austin, Texas 78711-2548
Telephone: (512) 463-2080
Facsimile: (512) 936-2109
Counsel for Appellee
Johnathan Stone
Assistant Attorney General
Texas Bar No. 24071779
Law Enforcement Defense Division
Office of the Attorney General of Texas
Post Office Box 12548
Austin, Texas 78711-2548
Telephone: (512) 463-2080
Facsimile: (512) 936-2109
Johnathan.Stone@texasattorneygeneral.gov
ii
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INDEX OF AUTHORITIES ......................................................................... IV
BRIEF OF APPELLEE ................................................................................... 1
STATEMENT OF THE CASE ........................................................................ 1
ISSUES PRESENTED ................................................................................... 2
STATEMENT OF THE FACTS ...................................................................... 3
SUMMARY OF THE ARGUMENT................................................................ 4
ARGUMENT.................................................................................................. 4
I. The trial courts did not abuse their discretion in
dismissing Appellant’s suit where he failed to perfect
his appeal from the Justice Court by seeking and
obtaining permission to proceed in forma pauperis. ............ 6
II. This Court should dismiss Appellant’s claims pursuant
to the doctrine of de minimis non curat lex where this
suit arises from the loss of an expired wall calendar. ............ 7
III. Sovereign immunity bars Appellants theft claims
where there is no waiver for intentional torts......................... 9
A. Appellant’s claims can only proceed against Appellee in
her official capacity. .................................................................... 9
B. Appellant’s claims are barred by sovereign immunity
where there is no waiver for intentional torts. ......................... 10
CONCLUSION............................................................................................. 12
NOTICE OF ELECTRONIC FILING ........................................................... 13
CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE .............................................................. 13
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE....................................................................... 13
iii
INDEX OF AUTHORITIES
Cases
Birdo v. Ament, 814 S.W.2d 808, 809 (Tex. App. 1991) ............................... 6
Brown v. Cockrell, No. 07-03-00139-CV, 2005 Tex. App. LEXIS 2131,
at *5-6 (Tex.App.—Amarillo Mar. 21, 2005) (mem. op.) .............................. 7
City of Waco v. Williams, 209 S.W.3d 216, 221-22 (Tex. App.—Waco
2006) ............................................................................................................ 11
Downer v. Aquamarine Operators, Inc., 701 S.W.2d 238, 241 (Tex.
1985). ............................................................................................................. 5
Franka v. Velasquez, 332 S.W.3d 367, 381 (Tex. 2011) ................................. 9
Hammonds v. Camp, 2004 Tex. App. LEXIS 3293, *5 (Tex. App.
Amarillo Apr. 12, 2004) ................................................................................ 8
Hickson v. Moya, 926 S.W.2d 397, 398 (Tex. App. 1996). ............................ 4
Jones v. Copeland, 2012 Tex. App. LEXIS 6889, *14-16 (Tex. App.
Amarillo Aug. 16, 2012). ................................................................................ 9
Leachman v. Dretke, 261 S.W.3d 297, 304 (Tex. App. 2008)....................... 5
Montana v. Patterson, 894 S.W.2d 812, 814 (Tex. App. 1994). .................... 5
Ollie v. Plano Indep. Sch. Dist., 383 S.W.3d 783, 791 (Tex. App.—
Dallas 2012, pet. denied). ............................................................................ 10
Pennington v. Peterson, No. 13-96-00344-CV, 1998 Tex. App. LEXIS
573, at *5-6 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi Jan. 29, 1998) ................................ 8
Smith v. Stevens, 822 S.W.2d 152, 152 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st
Dist.] 1991) .................................................................................................... 8
Tex. Dep't of Pub. Safety v. Petta, 44 S.W.3d 575, 577 & 580 (Tex.
2001) ............................................................................................................ 11
Thompson v. Mannix, 814 S.W.2d 811, 812 (Tex. App. 1991) ....................... 8
Vincent v. West Texas State University, 895 S.W.2d 469, 472 (Tex.
iv
App.—Amarillo 1995). ................................................................................. 10
Walker v. Gonzales Cnty. Sheriff's Dep't, 35 S.W.3d 157, 162 (Tex.
App. 2000). ................................................................................................... 5
Statutes
Civ. Prac. & Rem. § 101.057(2) ..................................................................... 11
Civ. Prac. & Rem. § 101.106(f) ....................................................................... 9
Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 14.003(b) ...................................................... 5
Tex. R. Civ. P. 506 ......................................................................................... 6
Tex. R. Civ. P. 506(d) .................................................................................... 6
Tex. R. Civ. P. 506(d)(1) ................................................................................ 6
Tex. R. Civ. P. 506(g)..................................................................................... 7
Tex. R. Civ. P. 506(h) .................................................................................... 6
Other Authorities
Black's Law Dictionary 496 (9th ed. 2009) ................................................... 7
v
No. 07-15-00090-CV
_______________________________________________
IN THE SEVENTH COURT OF APPEALS
__________________________________________________
EVANGELOS PAGONIS
Appellant-Petitioner
v.
CATHERINE THOMAS
Appellee-Respondent
________________________________________________
On appeal from the 69th Judicial District
Court of Hartley County, Texas; No. 645
_________________________________________________
BRIEF OF APPELLEE
_________________________________________________
Appellee, through the Office of the Attorney General, submits this
brief in support of the Justice Court, County Court at Law, and District
Courts decisions dismissing this case pursuant to Chapter Fourteen.
Appellee respectfully offers the following in support:
STATEMENT OF THE CASE
Appellant-Plaintiff Evangelos Pagonis is an inmate of the Texas
Department of Criminal Justice (“TDCJ”) incarcerated at the Dalhart Unit
in Dalhart, Texas. [Clerk’s Record (“C.R.”) at 55]. Appellant brought this
suit pro se and in forma pauperis. [C.R. at 49]. He sued Defendant-
1
Appellee Catherine Thomas for theft for the alleged loss of a calendar.
[C.R. at 52].
Appellant claims that Appellee stole his 2011 calendar on March 17,
2013. [C.R. at 62]. Specifically, he alleges that she was conducting a search
of every cell on his wing for a pair of missing keys. [C.R. at 62]. Appellant
claims that he witnessed Appellee enter his cell alone to conduct the search.
[C.R. at 62]. He claims that he discovered his calendar missing from his
legal documents folder after she finished searching his cell. [C.R. at 62].
The calendar allegedly contained important medial appointment dates
related to a separate lawsuit. [C.R. at 52]. He believes that Appellee stole
his calendar in retaliation for filing a lawsuit against another officer. [C.R.
at 62]. Appellant is suing Appellee in her individual capacity. [C.R. at 51].
ISSUES PRESENTED
I. Did the trial courts abuse their discretion in
dismissing Appellant’s suit where he failed to perfect
his appeal from the Justice Court by seeking and
obtaining permission to proceed in forma pauperis?
II. Should this Court should dismiss Appellant’s claims
pursuant to the doctrine of de minimis non curat lex
where this suit arises from the loss of an expired wall
calendar?
III. Does sovereign immunity bars Appellants theft
claims where there is no waiver for intentional torts?
2
STATEMENT OF THE FACTS
On July 26, 2013, Appellant brought a Theft Liability Act claim in the
Justice Court of Hartley County. [C.R. at 51]. Appellee filed and Answer
and a Chapter Fourteen Motion to Dismiss on September 20, 2013. [C.R.
at 16-28]. On September 26, 2013, the presiding judge signed a Final
Judgment dismissing Appellant’s claims pursuant to Chapter Fourteen.
[C.R. at 29]. Appellant appealed the ruling to the Hartley County Court of
Law. [C.R. at 6].
On August 27, 2014, Appellant filed an Application for Writ of
Mandamus with the 69th District Court of Hartley County asking the Court
to order the Clerk to accept his Notice of Appeal. [C.R. at 132-37]. On
September 18, 2014, the District Court entered an Order denying the
Application because he failed to perfect his appeal from the Justice Court.
[C.R. at 138]. The Clerk reminded Appellant on October 29, 2014, that he
had not perfected his appeal from the Justice Court. [C.R. at 144]. On
December 5, 2014, the County Court entered a Final Judgment dismissing
Appellant’s claims pursuant to Chapter Fourteen. [C.R. at 131]. Appellant
filed this appeal on December 9, 2014.
A review of internal document tracking records, the Record on
Appeal, and Appellant’s Certificate of Service reveals that he failed to send
3
Appellee courtesy copies in the majority of his filings this lawsuit.
SUMMARY OF THE ARGUMENT
The trial courts did not abuse their discretion when they dismissed
Appellant’s suit since he failed to properly perfect his appeal to the County
Court by seeking and obtaining permission from the Justice Court to appeal
in forma pauperis. This Court should also dismiss Appellant claims
pursuant to the doctrine of de minimis non curat lex because this lawsuit
arises from the loss of an expired calendar. Finally, Appellant’s claims are
barred by the sovereign immunity because they arose from the loss of his
calendar during a cell search that was within the scope of Appellee’s
employment.
ARGUMENT
The Court reviews a dismissal order in lawsuits of this nature for an
abuse of discretion.1 A trial court abuses its discretion when it acts
arbitrarily, unreasonably, or without reference to any guiding rules and
principles.2 When the trial court does not specify the grounds for
dismissal, the appellate court will affirm the decision if any theory is
meritorious.3
1 Hickson v. Moya, 926 S.W.2d 397, 398 (Tex. App. 1996).
2 Downer v. Aquamarine Operators, Inc., 701 S.W.2d 238, 241 (Tex. 1985).
3 Walker v. Gonzales Cnty. Sheriff's Dep't, 35 S.W.3d 157, 162 (Tex. App. 2000).
4
Trial courts have broad discretion to determine whether a case
should be dismissed because (1) prisoners have a strong incentive to
litigate, (2) the government bears the cost of an in forma pauperis suit,
(3) sanctions are not effective, and (4) the dismissal of unmeritorious
claims accrues to the benefit of state officials, courts, and meritorious
claimants.4
To determine whether a lawsuit is malicious or frivolous, a court
may consider whether (1) the realistic chance of ultimate success is
slight, (2) there is no arguable basis for the claim in law or in fact, (3) it
is clear that the party cannot prove facts that will support the claim, or
(4) the claim is substantially similar to a previous claim filed by the
inmate in that the claim arises from the same operative facts.5 When an
inmate claims relief under an indisputably meritless legal theory, the
claim has no arguable basis in law.6 A suit in which the defendants are
immune from suit provides an example of such a meritless legal theory.7
4 Montana v. Patterson, 894 S.W.2d 812, 814 (Tex. App. 1994).
5 Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 14.003(b).
6 Leachman v. Dretke, 261 S.W.3d 297, 304 (Tex. App. 2008).
5
I. The trial courts did not abuse their discretion in
dismissing Appellant’s suit where he failed to perfect
his appeal from the Justice Court by seeking and
obtaining permission to proceed in forma pauperis.
Texas Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 506 provides that to appeal a
decision from the Justice Court, an Appellant must pay a $500 bond
within twenty-one days of the Final Judgment.8 An Appellant that is
unable to furnish the bond may file a Statement of Inability to Pay.9 An
appeal from Justice Court is perfected when either the bond is furnished
or a Statement of Inability to Pay is filed in accordance with the rules.10
An appeal will not be dismissed for defects or irregularities in procedure,
either of form or substance, without allowing the Appellant, after seven
days' notice from the court, the opportunity to correct such defect.11 The
Appellant can perfect his appeal by filing another copy of his previous
Statement of Inability to Pay if he originally brought the suit in forma
pauperis.12
The trial courts did not abuse their discretion in dismissing
Appellant’s suit where he failed to perfect his appeal from the Justice
7 Birdo v. Ament, 814 S.W.2d 808, 809 (Tex. App. 1991).
8 Tex. R. Civ. P. 506.
9 Tex. R. Civ. P. 506(d).
10 Tex. R. Civ. P. 506(h)
11 Tex. R. Civ. P. 506.
12 Tex. R. Civ. P. 506(d)(1).
6
Court. Appellant cannot perfect his appeal in the Justice Court without
first filing a Statement of Inability to Pay or paying a $500 bond.13 On
September 18, 2014, the district court advised Appellant that he had not
perfected his appeal from the Justice Court. [C.R. at 138]. Appellant
failed to perfect his appeal within seven days of receiving notice. 14 The
district court waited seventy-eight days for Appellant to perfect his appeal
before dismissing his suit. [C.R. at 131]. Appellant failed to file a
Statement of Inability to Pay in the Justice Court within seven days of
receiving notice that he had not perfected his appeal; consequently, the
trial courts did not abuse their discretion in dismissing his suit for failure
to perfect his appeal.
II. This Court should dismiss Appellant’s claims pursuant
to the doctrine of de minimis non curat lex where this
suit arises from the loss of an expired wall calendar.
The doctrine of de minimis non curat lex — that is, "[t]he law does
not concern itself with trifles"— provides the Court with the authority to
dismiss as frivolous suits brought by inmates over the claimed
confiscation by prison employees of property having insignificant value. 15
13 Tex. R. Civ. P. 506.
14 Tex. R. Civ. P. 506(g).
15 Black's Law Dictionary 496 (9th ed. 2009); Brown v. Cockrell, No. 07-03-00139-CV,
2005 Tex. App. LEXIS 2131, at *5-6 (Tex.App.—Amarillo Mar. 21, 2005) (mem. op.)
(finding doctrine applicable when inmate sought recovery for confiscation of postage
7
Any error associated with the dismissal would be harmless because the
amount of damages sought is insignificant.16
This Court should dismiss Appellant’s appeal where the property
loss is de minimis.17 Appellant’s only justification for why his expired
2011 calendar had any value in 2013 was that contained important
medical dates in an a different lawsuit. [C.R. at 62]. The lawsuit
Appellant claims he needed the calendar for was dismissed in 2012 for
failure to state a claim.18 Appellant did appeal the decision; however, he
filed his appellate brief in 2012 before the alleged loss of his calendar.19
Moreover, the Fifth Circuit affirmed the dismissal of Appellant’s suit a
stamps); Hammonds v. Camp, 2004 Tex. App. LEXIS 3293, *5 (Tex. App. Amarillo
Apr. 12, 2004) (applying doctrine when inmate sued to recover for loss of two shower
shoes, two chess sets, and a sweatshirt); Pennington v. Peterson, No. 13-96-00344-
CV, 1998 Tex. App. LEXIS 573, at *5-6 (Tex. App.—Corpus Christi Jan. 29, 1998)
(concluding the law did not concern itself with inmate's claim seeking recovery of
$3.15 for property confiscated upon arrival at new prison unit); Smith v. Stevens,
822 S.W.2d 152, 152 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 1991) (concluding that the law
was not concerned with claims involving the confiscation of a coffee bag and two
packs of cigarettes); Thompson v. Mannix, 814 S.W.2d 811, 812 (Tex. App. 1991)
(finding trial court could have invoked doctrine when inmate sought recovery for the
conversion of five highlighters, an extension cord, four small wooden picture frames,
a stainless steel pen and pencil set, a mirror, three hospital bracelets, and a fan).
16 See Hammonds, 2004 Tex. App. LEXIS 3293, at *5-6; Smith, 822 S.W.2d at 152.
17 Appellant seeks $100,000 in compensatory damages for the loss of his 2011
calendar. [C.R. at 45].
18 Order of Dismissal, Pagonis v. TDCJ, et al., Civil Action No. 2:11-cv-00177 (T.X.N.D.
– Amarillo, Sept. 11, 2012).
19 Appellant’s Brief, Pagonis v. TDCJ, et al., Cause No. 12-10980 (5th Cir. Nov. 13,
2012).
8
month after the alleged loss of his calendar.20 In Jones, this Court applied
the doctrine of de minimis non curat lex in an inmate suit involving the
alleged loss of a red rope folder, five pens, fourteen sheets of paper, two
and a half bags of coffee, and a padlock.21 Similarly, the Court should
apply the same doctrine in this suit where Appellant’s expired calendar
had no value.
III. Sovereign immunity bars Appellants theft claims
where there is no waiver for intentional torts.
A. Appellant’s claims can only proceed against Appellee in
her official capacity.
Suits against a government employee in her individual capacity are
foreclosed if the employee was acting within the scope of her
employment.22 A suit is considered to be against the employee in the
employee's official capacity only if the suit (1) is filed against an employee
of a governmental unit based on conduct within the general scope of that
employee's employment, and (2) could have been brought under [the Texas
Tort Claims Act (“TTCA”)] against the governmental unit.23 Officials act
20 Judgment, Pagonis v. TDCJ, et al., Cause No. 12-10980 (5th Cir. Apr. 17, 2013).
21 Jones v. Copeland, 2012 Tex. App. LEXIS 6889, *14-16 (Tex. App. Amarillo Aug.
16, 2012).
22 Franka v. Velasquez, 332 S.W.3d 367, 381 (Tex. 2011); Civ. Prac. & Rem. § 101.106(f).
23 Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 101.106(f); Franka, 332 S.W.3d at 369.
9
within the scope of employment if their acts fall within the duties generally
assigned to them.24
Appellee can only be sued in her official capacity because the alleged
loss of Appellant’s calendar occurred while she was acting within the
scope of her employment.25 Appellant purportedly sued Appellee in her
individual capacity. [C.R. at 51]. He alleges in this suit that she stole or
destroyed his calendar during a search of his cell for a missing key. [C.R.
at 62]. There is no reasonable dispute the conducting cell searches is a
function within the scope of a correctional officers’ duties.26 Thus,
Appellant’s claims can only proceed against Appellee in her official
capacity where the alleged loss of his calendar occurred while she was
acting within the scope of her employment.
B. Appellant’s claims are barred by sovereign immunity
where there is no waiver for intentional torts.
A suit against a governmental employee in their official capacity is,
in effect, a claim against the State itself; therefore, sovereign immunity
applies.27 Sovereign immunity deprives a trial court of subject matter
24 Ollie v. Plano Indep. Sch. Dist., 383 S.W.3d 783, 791 (Tex. App.—Dallas 2012, pet.
denied).
25 Id.
26 Franka, 332 S.W.3d at 369.
27 Vincent v. West Texas State University, 895 S.W.2d 469, 472 (Tex. App.—Amarillo
1995).
10
jurisdiction for lawsuits in which the state or certain governmental units
have been sued unless the state consents to suit.28 The TTCA provides a
waiver of sovereign immunity from suit when the claimant alleges
personal injury or death arising from the operation or use of a motor-
driven vehicle; however, there is no waiver for intentional torts.29 In
determining whether claims are barred by sovereign immunity, the court
looks to the substance of the claims alleged because governmental
immunity cannot be circumvented by artful pleading.30
Appellant’s theft claim is barred by sovereign immunity because it is
an intentional tort. The TTCA does not waive sovereign immunity for
torts “arising out of assault, battery, false imprisonment, or any other
intentional tort…"31 Conversion and theft are intentional torts.32
Appellant alleges that Appellee stole or destroyed his 2011 calendar. [C.R.
at 52]. Thus, the trial courts did not abuse their discretion in dismissing
his claims where there is no waiver of sovereign immunity for intentional
torts.
28 Id.
29 Civ. Prac. & Rem. § 101.057(2) (Act does not apply to claims "arising out of assault,
battery, false imprisonment, or any other intentional tort."
30 See Tex. Dep't of Pub. Safety v. Petta, 44 S.W.3d 575, 577 & 580 (Tex. 2001).
31 Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 101.057(2) (emphasis added); See City of Waco v.
Williams, 209 S.W.3d 216, 221-22 (Tex. App.—Waco 2006).
32 Tex. River Barges v. City of San Antonio, 21 S.W.3d 347, 356-57 (Tex. App. 2000).
11
CONCLUSION
The trial courts did not abuse their discretion in dismissing
Appellant’s suit pursuant to Chapter Fourteen. The judgment should be
affirmed.
Respectfully submitted,
KEN PAXTON
Attorney General of Texas
CHARLES E. ROY
First Assistant Attorney General
JAMES E. DAVIS
Deputy Attorney General for Civil Litigation
KAREN D. MATLOCK
Assistant Attorney General
Chief, Law Enforcement Defense Division
/s/ Johnathan Stone
JOHNATHAN STONE
Assistant Attorney General
Attorney-In-Charge
Texas State Bar No. 24071779
johnathan.stone@texasattorneygeneral.gov
Law Enforcement Defense Division
Office of the Attorney General
P. O. Box 12548, Capitol Station
Austin, Texas 78711-2548
Telephone: (512) 463-2080
Facsimile: (512) 936-2109
ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEE
12
NOTICE OF ELECTRONIC FILING
I, Johnathan Stone, Assistant Attorney General of Texas, do
hereby certify that I have electronically submitted for filing, a correct copy
of the foregoing in accordance with the electronic filing system for the
Seventh Court of Appeals on this the 22nd day of June, 2015.
/s/ Johnathan Stone
JOHNATHAN STONE
Assistant Attorney General
CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE
This document complies with the typeface requirements of Tex. R.
App. P. 9.4(e) because it has been prepared in a conventional typeface no
smaller than 14-point for text and 12-point for footnotes. This document
also complies with the word-count limitations of Tex. R. App. P. 9.4(i), if
applicable, because it contains 1,366 words, excluding any parts exempted
by Tex. R. App. P. 9.4(i)(1).
/s/ Johnathan Stone
JOHNATHAN STONE
Assistant Attorney General
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I, Johnathan Stone, Assistant Attorney General of Texas, certify that a
true copy of the foregoing has been served by placing it in the United States
13
Postal Service, postage prepaid, on the 23rd day of June, 2015, addressed
to:
Evangelos Pagonis
TDCJ No. 1626253
Lynaugh Unit
1098 S. Hwy 2037
Fort Stockton, TX 79735
Pro Se Appellant
/s/ Johnathan Stone
JOHNATHAN STONE
Assistant Attorney General
14