Opinion ID: 1594303
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: whether the trial court erred in granting summary judgment as to the pittman defendants.

Text: ¶ 20. In the instant case, the trial court dismissed all defendants based upon the perceived lapse of the statute of limitations. Additionally, the court granted summary judgment as an alternative means of dismissing the Pittman defendants. The court specifically stated in the memorandum opinion that even if the claims against the Pittman defendants in this action were not time-barred, the Court would nonetheless be compelled to grant their motion for summary judgment. ¶ 21. The trial court analyzed whether there was enough evidence to prove that a conspiracy existed without allowing the plaintiffs time to conduct any discovery in order to bring forth the needed proof. Therefore, when considering the motion for summary judgment, the trial court had, and this Court on appeal has, only the heirs' complaint (that has yet to be denied), cancelled checks from Tullos's regular account paying for the land, an appraisal of the land submitted by the defendants, and the letter from Mr. Jennings. ¶ 22. In the complaint, the heirs alleged that Tullos and Pittman effectuated the sale of the land through the employ of fraud with the ultimate intention of Tullos acquiring the property for himself at a lower-than-market-value cost. The trial court reasoned that the heirs had failed to come forward with any evidence tending to prove the fraud, yet the court did not allow the plaintiffs time to obtain evidence through discovery. ¶ 23. In finding summary judgment appropriate for the Pittman defendants, the trial court stated, there is only an allegation that Pittman agreed to purchase, for $750 per acre, 420 acres of land (which had been appraised by an independent appraiser as being worth only $500 per acre), and that he conveyed the land to Tullos approximately 20 months later. (footnote omitted) (emphasis added). ¶ 24. Defendants and the trial court also place great weight on this transaction occurring in concurrence with or subsequent to, the closing of the estate Tullos was hired to help administer. However, the plaintiffs' theory is that Tullos undertook the duty to sell the property and allegedly involved Pittman in the alleged scheme. While there is a factual discrepancy as to the amount of Pittman's involvement, the court again failed to allow the heirs an opportunity to further develop the record in order to make a proper decision concerning the Pittman defendants. Pittman's knowledge or lack thereof is of material importance. ¶ 25. Although the proof in the record supporting the heirs' allegation is circumstantial, the heirs were not given an opportunity to further develop the record. It is unreasonable to say that such an allegation, without an opportunity to conduct discovery or even a denial by Pittman, is deserving of summary judgment. It was error for the trial court to have dismissed such accusations as lacking evidence when the plaintiffs presented the best evidence available to them, and they were not allowed an opportunity to obtain further information in an effort to validate their assertions. Therefore, the combination of a complete lack of an opportunity for discovery and the absence of an answer by the defendants precludes summary judgment at this time.