April 3, 2002 - Opinions - Louisiana Supreme Court

<div>
 <div class="content">
 <div class="bcrumb">
 <ol class="row breadcrumb offprint">
 <li><a href="/">Home</a></li>
 <li><a href="CourtActions/2002">Court Actions</a></li>

<li class="active">
April 3, 2002 
 </li>

</ol>

</div>
 </div>

<div id="mainbodycontent" class="col col-md-12 mainbodycontent" style="margin-top:-10px;"> 
<table cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" width="90%"><tbody><tr valign="top"><td valign="top" width="63%">FOR IMMEDIATE NEWS RELEASE</td><td valign="top" width="37%"><div align="right">NEWS RELEASE #028</div></td></tr><tr valign="top"><td valign="top">FROM: CLERK OF SUPREME COURT OF LOUISIANA</td><td valign="top">&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table>&nbsp;<div style="text-align:justify;">The Opinions handed down on the&nbsp;3rd day of April, 2002&nbsp;, are as follows:&nbsp; &nbsp;BY CALOGERO, C.J.:&nbsp; <a href="/opinions/2002/95ka1489.opn.pdf">1995-KA- 1489 STATE OF LOUISIANA v. RICKY JOSEPH LANGLEY&nbsp;</a>(Parish of Calcasieu) (First Degree Murder) For the reasons set forth above, we affirm the district court's ruling which granted the defendant's motion to quash the indictment, effectively upsetting the defendant's conviction and ordering further proceedings. AFFIRMED.&nbsp; Retired Justice Walter F. Marcus, assigned as Justice ad hoc, sitting for Associate Justice Jeannette Theriot Knoll, recused.<a href="/opinions/2002/95ka1489.bjj.pdf">JOHNSON, J., concurs&nbsp;and assigns reasons.</a> TRAYLOR, J., concurs for reasons assigned by Weimer. KNOLL, J., not on panel; recused. Rule IV, Part 2, Section 3. <a href="/opinions/2002/95ka1489.jlw.pdf">WEIMER, J., concurs&nbsp;and assigns reasons.</a>&nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="/opinions/2002/01c0876.opn.pdf">2001-C- 0876 LAJUANA B. PETRE v. STATE OF LOUISIANA, THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND DEVELOPMENT&nbsp;C/W VINCENT PETRE v. STATE OF LOUISIANA, THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND DEVELOPMENT</a> (Parish of Avoyelles) For the foregoing reasons, we affirm the judgments of the trial court and the court of appeal.&nbsp; Melvin A. Shortess, assigned as Associate Justice ad hoc, sitting for Justice Jeannette T. Knoll, recused. Retired Judge Robert L. Lobrano, assigned as Associate Justice Pro Tempore, participating in the decision.&nbsp; <a href="/opinions/2002/01c0876.jpv.pdf">VICTORY, J., dissents&nbsp;and assigns reasons.</a> <a href="/opinions/2002/01c0876.cdt.pdf">TRAYLOR, J., dissents and assigns reasons.</a> LOBRANO, J., dissents for reasons assigned by Traylor, J. <a href="/opinions/2002/01c0876.mas.pdf">SHORTESS, J.,&nbsp;ad hoc, assigns additional concurring reasons.</a>&nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="/opinions/2002/01c2200.opn.pdf">2001-C- 2200 ROBERT DEAN HOOVER v. ANNE MARIE OLIVIER HOOVER&nbsp;</a>(Parish of E. Baton Rouge) In conclusion, we find that the lower courts erred in finding that the partition agreement between Anne and Robert Hoover was a transaction or compromise. While the agreement may have had some aspects and qualities of a compromise, it was nonetheless, an extrajudicial partition for which lesion is a remedy under Louisiana Civil Code article 814. Furthermore, Anne's claim for lesion was improperly dismissed on a motion for summary judgment as Robert Hoover's motion did not request disposition of that particular issue. Because the trial court was without authority to dismiss Anne's alternative claim for lesion, it remains a viable remedy at this stage of the proceedings and we remand the matter to the trial court for further proceedings. REVERSED AND REMANDED.&nbsp; Retired Justice Walter F. Marcus assigned as associate justice, ad hoc, sitting for Associate Justice John L. Weimer.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;BY KIMBALL, J.&nbsp;:<a href="/opinions/2002/01c2056.opn.pdf">2001-C- 2056 LOUWANNA COLEMAN JAMES v. FORMOSA PLASTICS CORPORATION OF LOUISIANA&nbsp;</a>(Parish of E. Baton Rouge) The parties failed to take the appropriate steps in the prosecution and defense this action in the trial court for more than three years prior to the filing of Formosa's motion to dismiss on June 1, 1999. Formosa's motion to dismiss on grounds of abandonment was therefore properly granted by the trial court on September 10, 1999. The court of appeal's judgment to the contrary is hereby reversed. REVERSED.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;BY JOHNSON, J.&nbsp;:<a href="/opinions/2002/01c1530.opn.pdf">2001-C- 1530 RICHARD A. BERLIER v. A.P. GREEN INDUSTRIES, INC., ET AL.&nbsp;</a>(Parish of St. Bernard) For the reasons stated above, we find that there existed a joint and indivisible obligation which binds each of the defendants for the full $450,000.00.&nbsp; Retired Judge Robert L. Lobrano, assigned as Associate Justice Pro Tempore, participating in the decision.&nbsp;<a href="/opinions/2002/01c1530.jpv.pdf">VICTORY, J., dissents&nbsp;and assigns reasons.</a> TRAYLOR, J., dissents for reasons assigned by Victory, J. LOBRANO, J., concurs in the result.&nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="/opinions/2002/01ca1725.opn.pdf">2001-CA- 1725 ENTERGY LOUISIANA, INC. v. LOUISIANA PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION, ET AL.&nbsp;</a>(Parish of E. Baton Rouge) For the reasons set forth above, we hold that the LPSC is not precluded from assessing the prudence of ELI's decision to continue to include the ERS units in its calculations for MSS-1 payments. We further hold that the LPSC's determination that ELI acted imprudently is supported by the record and is not arbitrary or capricious. AFFIRMED.&nbsp; Retired Judge Robert L. Lobrano, assigned as Justice Pro Tempore, participating in the decision.&nbsp;<a href="/opinions/2002/01ca1725.cdk.pdf">KIMBALL, J., dissents</a>. TRAYLOR, J., dissents. LOBRANO, J., dissents.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;BY VICTORY, J.:&nbsp; <a href="/opinions/2002/01c1779.opn.pdf">2001-C- 1779 C/W 2001-C-1780 LEONARD W. WALLMUTH, ET AL. v. RAPIDES PARISH SCHOOL BOARD, ET AL.</a> (Parish of Rapides) For the reasons stated herein, the judgments of the lower courts are reversed and judgment is rendered in favor of the School Board, dismissing plaintiffs' claims against it. REVERSED AND RENDERED.&nbsp; JOHNSON, J., concurs. <a href="/opinions/2002/01c1779.jlw.pdf">WEIMER, J., dissents&nbsp;with reasons.</a>&nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="/opinions/2002/01c2466.opn.pdf">2001-C- 2466 JOHNNY M. EVANS, SR. v. DERIDDER MUNICIPAL FIRE &amp; POLICE CIVIL SERVICE BOARD</a> (Parish of Beauregard) For the reasons stated herein, the judgment of the court of appeal is reversed and the judgment of the trial court is reinstated. REVERSED; TRIAL COURT JUDGMENT REINSTATED.&nbsp; <a href="/opinions/2002/01c2466.pfc.pdf">CALOGERO, C.J., dissents&nbsp;and assigns reasons.</a> <a href="/opinions/2002/01c2466.jtk.pdf">KNOLL, J., concurs&nbsp;and assigns reasons.</a> <a href="/opinions/2002/01c2466.jlw.pdf">WEIMER, J., concurs&nbsp;and assigns reasons.</a>&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;BY TRAYLOR, J.:&nbsp; <a href="/opinions/2002/00ka3344.opn.pdf">2000-KA- 3344 STATE OF LOUISIANA v. DAVID HENRY BOWIE&nbsp;</a>(Parish of E. Baton Rouge) (First Degree Murder) For the reasons assigned herein, the defendant's conviction and death sentence are affirmed. In the event this judgment becomes final on direct review when either: (1) the defendant fails to petition timely the United States Supreme Court for certiorari; or (2) that Court denies his petition for certiorari; and either (a) the defendant, having filed for and been denied certiorari, fails to petition the United States Supreme Court timely, under its prevailing rules, for rehearing of denial of certiorari; or (b) that court denies his petition for rehearing, the trial judge shall, upon receiving notice from this Court under La. Code Crim. Proc. art. 923 of finality of direct appeal, and before signing the warrant of execution, as provided by La. Rev. Stat. &sect; 15:567(B), immediately notify the Louisiana Indigent Defense Assistance Board and provide the Board with reasonable time in which: (1) to enroll counsel to represent the defendant in any State post-conviction proceedings, if appropriate, pursuant to its authority under La. Rev. Stat. &sect;15:149.1; and (2) to litigate expeditiously the claims raised in that original application, if filed in the state courts. AFFIRMED.&nbsp; <a href="/opinions/2002/00ka3344.jlw.pdf">WEIMER, J., concurs&nbsp;and assigns reasons.</a>&nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="/opinions/2002/01ca3013.opn.pdf">2001-CA- 3013 WAL-MART STORES, INC. v. PARTHENA KEEL&nbsp;</a>(Parish of East Carroll) For the reasons assigned, we affirm the judgment of the district court declaring La. Rev. Stat. 23:1225(C)(1)(b), which reduces benefits when an employee begins to receive old age insurance benefits under Title II of the Social Security Act, unconstitutional. The case is remanded to the Office of Workers' Compensation for further proceedings consistent with this opinion. Costs are assessed against defendants. AFFIRMED.&nbsp; VICTORY, J., concurs in the result.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;BY WEIMER, J.:&nbsp; <a href="/opinions/2002/00ko1629.opn.pdf">2000-KO- 1629 STATE OF LOUISIANA v. STEVE M. MARCANTEL&nbsp;</a>(Parish of Evangeline) (One Count of Theft; Seven Counts of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon) Therefore, we will not disturb the decree of the court of appeal. DECREE AFFIRMED.&nbsp; <a href="/opinions/2002/00ko1629.pfc.pdf">CALOGERO, C.J., dissents&nbsp;and assigns reasons.</a>&nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="/opinions/2002/01c2162.opn.pdf">2001-C- 2162 CLECO EVANGELINE, LLC v. LOUISIANA TAX COMMISSION&nbsp;</a>(Parish of E. Baton Rouge) Thus, we hold that ambiguity, if any, in the provisions of LSA-R.S. 47:1851(E) defining "electric power company" is interpreted so as not to extend the definition to the Evangeline plant. AFFIRMED.&nbsp; &nbsp;<a href="/opinions/2002/01c2217.opn.pdf">2001-C- 2217 JAMES JOSEPH PINSONNEAULT, ET AL v. MERCHANTS &amp; FARMERS BANK &amp; TRUST COMPANY, ET AL</a> (Parish of Vernon) We find that the Court of Appeal erred in ignoring the manifest error standard of review and substituting its own conclusions for those of the trial court. Therefore, we reverse the Court of Appeal's judgment in favor of plaintiffs. REVERSED.&nbsp; JOHNSON, J., dissents and assigns reasons.&nbsp;&nbsp;</div>
 </div>

</div>