June 21, 2002 - Opinions - Louisiana Supreme Court

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<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 #052</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;21st day of June, 2002, are as follows:&nbsp;BY CALOGERO, C.J.:<a href="/opinions/2002/00KA1529.reh.PDF">2000-KA- 1529 STATE OF LOUISIANA v. ROY BRIDGEWATER</a>&nbsp;(Parish of Jefferson) (First Degree Murder) ON REHEARING FIRST DEGREE MURDER CONVICTION AND DEATH SENTENCE OF THE DEFENDANT, ROY BRIDGEWATER, IS AFFIRMED.&nbsp;&nbsp;BY KIMBALL, J.:<a href="/opinions/2002/01KK2629.opn.pdf">2001-KK- 2629 STATE OF LOUISIANA v. ERNEST J. DOBARD</a>&nbsp;(Parish of Orleans) (Possession of Crack Cocaine) For the foregoing reasons, the crack cocaine abandoned by defendant prior to any unlawful intrusion into his right to be free from governmental interference was lawfully seized. The trial court's determination that the evidence should be suppressed and its finding of a lack of probable cause are therefore reversed. The case is remanded to the trial court for further proceedings not inconsistent with this opinion. REVERSED AND REMANDED.<a href="/opinions/2002/01KK2629.pfc.pdf">CALOGERO, C.J., dissents and assigns reason</a>s. <a href="/opinions/2002/01KK2629.bjj.pdf">JOHNSON, J., dissents and assigns reasons.</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;BY JOHNSON, J.:<a href="/opinions/2002/01K0077.opn.pdf">2001-K- 0077 STATE OF LOUISIANA v. KEVIN DUANE GOODLEY&nbsp;</a>(Parish of St. Landry) (Second Degree Murder) The court of appeal's decision is hereby reversed, and the matter is remanded for consideration of the merits of defendant's remaining assignments of errors. REVERSED and REMANDED.&nbsp;<a href="/opinions/2002/01KK2529.opn.pdf">2001-KK- 2529 STATE OF LOUISIANA v. DITRA S. HORTON AND JUNIUS ELI</a>&nbsp;(Parish of Orleans) (Possession of Cocaine and Heroin)&nbsp; For the foregoing reasons, we AFFIRM the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal's denial of the State's supervisory writ application.VICTORY, J., dissents for the reasons assigned by Justice Traylor.<a href="/opinions/2002/01KK2529.cdt.pdf">TRAYLOR, J., dissents and assigns reasons.</a> WEIMER, J., dissents for the reasons assigned by Traylor, J.&nbsp;<a href="/opinions/2002/01KK2940.opn.pdf">2001-KK- 2940 STATE OF LOUISIANA v. BYRON VIGNE</a>&nbsp;(Parish of Orleans) (Possession of Crack Cocaine with Intent to Distribute) For the aforementioned reasons, we hold that the trial court did not err in granting defendant's motion to suppress. Accordingly, we reverse the court of appeal's decision. REVERSED.VICTORY, J., dissents for the reasons assigned by Justice Traylor. <a href="/opinions/2002/01KK2940.cdt.pdf">TRAYLOR, J., dissents and assigns reasons.</a> WEIMER, J., dissents.&nbsp;&nbsp;BY VICTORY, J.:<a href="/opinions/2002/01C2658.opn.pdf">2001-C- 2658 INGUS M. HOLLINGSWORTH AND DOROTHY ROBERSON HOLLINGSWORTH v. CITY OF MINDEN</a>&nbsp;(Parish of Webster) Because we find that plaintiffs timely filed their devolutive appeal under La. R.S. 33:175, we deny the City relief and remand the case to the trial court for further proceedings in accordance with the ruling of the Second Circuit Court of Appeal. RELIEF DENIED; REMANDED.KIMBALL, J., dissents. JOHNSON, J., dissents. <a href="/opinions/2002/01C2658.jlw.pdf">WEIMER, J., dissents and assigns reasons.</a>&nbsp;<a href="/opinions/2002/01KA2799.opn.pdf">2001-KA- 2799 STATE OF LOUISIANA v. ERRAN FLEMING AND KEVIN TRAINOR</a>&nbsp;(Parish of Orleans) (First Degree Murder) For the foregoing reasons, the ruling of the trial court declaring La. C.Cr.P. art. 413(C) unconstitutional as a local or special law under La. Const. Art. III, &sect;12(a)(3) is vacated and the case is transferred to the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal to be treated as an appeal by the State and the defendants on all other grounds properly raised in this Court. DECLARATION OF UNCONSTITUTIONALITY VACATED; TRANSFERRED TO THE FOURTH CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEAL.&nbsp;<a href="/opinions/2002/02CA0265.opn.pdf">2002-CA- 0265 CASINO ASSOCIATION OF LOUISIANA AND INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS v. STATE OF LOUISIANA&nbsp;THROUGH THE HONORABLE MURPHY J. FOSTER, JR., GOVERNOR, THE HONORABLE RICHARD P. IEYOUB, ATTORNEY GENERAL</a> (Parish of E. Baton Rouge) For the foregoing reasons, we reverse the judgment of the trial court and uphold the constitutionality of La. R.S. 18:1505.2 (L)(3)(a)(ii) and La. R.S. 18:1505.2(L)(3)(b)(c)(e), insofar as they are applicable to La. R.S. 18:1505.2(L)(3)(a)(ii) and (iii) as well as 42 LA-ADC Pt. IX, &sect;2941, insofar as it applies to the owners of any holding company of the casino gaming operator, their affiliated companies, and all of their officers, directors, partners, senior management and key employees. REVERSED.<a href="/opinions/2002/02CA0265.pfc.pdf">CALOGERO, C.J., dissents&nbsp;and assigns reasons.</a> <a href="/opinions/2002/02CA0265.cdk.pdf">KIMBALL, J., dissents&nbsp;and assigns reasons.</a> <a href="/opinions/2002/02CA0265.bjj.pdf">JOHNSON, J., dissents&nbsp;and assigns reasons.</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;BY TRAYLOR, J.:<a href="/opinions/2002/01KA0408.opn.pdf">2001-KA- 0408 STATE OF LOUISIANA v. EDWARD IRVIN HARRIS</a> (Parish of Jefferson) (First Degree Murder) For the reasons assigned herein, the defendant's conviction and death sentence are reversed. REVERSED AND REMANDED.&nbsp;<a href="/opinions/2002/01CC3283.opn.pdf">2001-CC- 3283 YOLANDA BERRY, ET AL. v. ORLEANS PARISH SCHOOL BOARD, ET AL</a>. (Parish of Orleans) For the reasons assigned, we affirm the court of appeal's judgment that renders summary judgment in favor of the OPSB to require the Lighthouse for the Blind to defend and indemnify the OPSB. The case is remanded to the district court for further proceedings consistent with this opinion. AFFIRMED.CALOGERO, C.J., dissents for reasons assigned by Knoll, J. VICTORY, J., concurs. <a href="/opinions/2002/01CC3283.jtk.pdf">KNOLL, J., dissents&nbsp;and assigns reasons.</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;BY KNOLL, J.:<a href="/opinions/2002/01K0556.opn.pdf">2001-K- 0556 STATE OF LOUISIANA v. SERELL J. ANDERS AND GLENDA A. DIECEDUE</a>&nbsp;(Parish of Orleans)&nbsp; (Possession of Marijuana - Second Offense) For the foregoing reasons, we find that the State erred by using the respective defendants' previous conviction for distribution of marijuana as the predicate offense to enhance their present charge to possession of marijuana, second offense. Accordingly, we find that the respective trial courts properly granted the defendants' motions to quash the bill of information which charged them with possession of marijuana, second offense. AFFIRMED.<a href="/opinions/2002/01K0556.cdt.pdf">TRAYLOR, J., dissents&nbsp;and assigns reasons.</a>&nbsp;<a href="/opinions/2002/01C2297.opn.pdf">2001-C- 2297 J. JUDE QUEBEDEAUX AND WENDY QUEBEDEAUX v. THE DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY&nbsp;AND JOHN DANDRIDGE, RELIANCE INSURANCE CO. AND DORINCO REINSURANCE CO.</a> (Parish of Iberville) For the foregoing reasons, we reverse and set aide that portion of the lower courts' judgments pertaining to plaintiffs' damage awards, and remand this matter to the court of appeal to determine the proper quantum for plaintiffs' damages, consistent with the views expressed in this opinion. DAMAGE AWARD REVERSED AND CASE REMANDED.<a href="/opinions/2002/01C2297.pfc.pdf">CALOGERO, C.J., concurs&nbsp;and assigns reasons.</a> <a href="/opinions/2002/01C2297.cdk.pdf">KIMBALL, J., additionally concurs&nbsp;and assigns reasons.</a> JOHNSON, J., concurs in result. TRAYLOR, J., additionally concurs for reasons assigned by Kimball, J. <a href="/opinions/2002/01C2297.jlw.pdf">WEIMER, J., additionally concurs&nbsp;and assigns reasons.</a>&nbsp;<a href="/opinions/2002/01C2707.opn.pdf">2001-C- 2707 ALVIN CAMPO, INDIVIDUALLY AND ON BEHALF OF THE MINOR CHILDREN, JOSHUA HALL CAMPO AND JESSI LYNN CAMPO AND PAMELA CAMPO v. AMILCAR CORREA, M.D., AND GALEN-MED, INC., (F/K/A HUMEDICENTER, INC., F/D/B/A HUMANA HOSPITAL - NEW ORLEANS)</a> (Parish of Orleans) For the foregoing reasons, the judgments of the trial court and the court of appeal are reversed, vacated, and set aside. This matter is remanded to the district court for further proceedings. REVERSED AND REMANDED.&nbsp;<a href="/opinions/2002/01C3230.opn.pdf">2001-C- 3230 LETELL MENYOUN LEE JONISE, WIDOW OF DERRICK DEWAYNE JONISE v. BOLOGNA BROTHERS AND THE LOUISIANA WORKERS' COMPENSATION CORPORATION</a> (Office Of Workers' Compensantion District 5) For the foregoing reasons, we affirm the granting of defendants' exception of prescription and find Ms. Jonise's claim for death benefits and her claim for burial expenses are prescribed pursuant to LSA-R.S. 23:1209(A). AFFIRMED.Retired Judge Robert L. Lobrano, assigned as Associate Justice ad hoc, sitting for Associate Justice John L. Weimer, recused.JOHNSON, J., concurs.&nbsp;&nbsp;BY WEIMER, J.:<a href="/opinions/2002/01KK3195.opn.pdf">2001-KK- 3195 STATE OF LOUISIANA v. MICHAEL J. MAYEUX</a> (Parish of Jefferson) (DWI - Third Offense) Accordingly, we vacate the sentence and remand the case to the district court for sentencing in conformity with this opinion. SENTENCE VACATED; REMANDED.<a href="/opinions/2002/01KK3195.cdk.pdf">KIMBALL, J., dissents&nbsp;and assigns reasons.</a> JOHNSON, J., concurs. <a href="/opinions/2002/01kk3195.jpv.pdf">VICTORY, J., dissents&nbsp;and assigns reasons.</a> TRAYLOR, J., dissents for reasons assigned by Victory, J.&nbsp;<a href="/opinions/2002/01K3407.opn.pdf">2001-K- 3407 STATE OF LOUISIANA v. DANIEL SUGASTI&nbsp;</a>(Parish of Jefferson) (Possession of Heroin, Alprazolam and Marijuana) For the foregoing reasons, we affirm the decision of the court of appeal and remand the matter to the district court for sentencing consistent with this opinion. Defendant's right to withdraw his guilty plea is reserved. AFFIRMED; REMANDED TO DISTRICT COURT.<a href="/opinions/2002/01K3407.bjj.pdf">JOHNSON, J., dissents&nbsp;</a>and assigns reasons.&nbsp;<a href="/opinions/2002/01KP3408.opn.pdf">2001-KP- 3408 STATE OF LOUISIANA v. WAYNE MAYEUX</a>&nbsp;(Parish of Orleans) (Possession of Heroin) For reasons assigned in this matter as well as the discussion in State v. Sugasti, we affirm the ruling fo the court of appeal and remand the matter to the district court for proceedings consistent with this opinion. AFFIRMED; REMANDED TO DISTRICT COURT.<a href="/opinions/2002/01KP3408.bjj.pdf">JOHNSON, J., dissents and assigns reasons.</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;PER CURIAM:<a href="/opinions/2002/01CC3275.pc.pdf">2001-CC- 3275 C/W 2001-CC- 3276 RONALD J. SAVOIE v. RICHARD L. RUBIN, ET AL.</a> (Parish of Orleans) For the reasons assigned, the judgment of the court of appeal is reversed. The exceptions pleading prematurity and no cause of action filed by defendants, Robert J. David, Gainsburg, Benjamin, David, Meunier &amp; Warshauer, and Richard L. Rubin, are hereby granted and the lawsuit is dismissed. All costs in this court are assessed against plaintiff.Retired Justice Walter F. Marcus, Jr., assigned as Justice ad hoc sitting for Associate Justice Catherine D. Kimball, recused.&nbsp;<a href="/opinions/2002/01C3287.pc.pdf">2001-C- 3287 YSONDE BOLAND AND KURT BOLAND v. JOHN D. KLEINPETER,&nbsp;JONNIE-LU KLEINPETER, LIONEL KLEINPETER, DENISE EMMONS, MICHAEL FUTRELL, ELOISE FUTRELL, PATRICK BELLA, CHRIS BELLA, JOHN GOOCH, JASON ARTHUR COBB AND TIFFANY EDWARDS</a> (Parish of E. Baton Rouge) For the reasons assigned, the judgment of the court of appeal is reversed, and the judgment of the district court granting the exception of prescription filed by Michael and Eloise Futrell is reinstated. All costs in this court are assessed against plaintiffs.Retired Justice Walter F. Marcus, Jr., assigned as Justice ad hoc sitting for Associate Justice Catherine D. Kimball, recused.&nbsp;<a href="/opinions/2002/02B0257.pc.pdf">2002-B- 0257 IN RE: BARRY W. BOLTON</a> (Disciplinary Proceedings) Upon review of the findings and recommendation of the hearing committee and disciplinary board, and considering the record, briefs and oral argument, it is ordered that Barry W. Bolton be suspended from the practice of law in Louisiana for a period of one year. Six months of that suspension shall be deferred, subject to the requirement that respondent enroll in and complete the Ethics School program sponsored by the Louisiana State Bar Association. All costs and expenses in the matter are assessed against respondent in accordance with Supreme Court Rule XIX, &sect;10.1, with legal interest to commence thirty days from the date of finality of this court's judgment until paid.<a href="/opinions/2002/02B0257.jpv.pdf">VICTORY, J., dissents&nbsp;and assigns reasons.</a> TRAYLOR, J., dissents for reasons assigned by Victory, J. <a href="/opinions/2002/02b0257.jtk.pdf">KNOLL, J., dissents&nbsp;with reasons.</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;</div>
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