Opinion ID: 1696109
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: did the trial court err in granting summary judgment as to the tort of the city of newton and charles jackson in forbidding webb to park at the sunflower store parking lot?

Text: Webb alleged, in her Amended Complaint, that she had permission to park the eighteen-wheeler in the Sunflower parking lot and that the defendants, for no reason, demanded that she move the truck. Webb claims that the Motion for Summary Judgment did not include this issue and that the judge did not address this issue. In the telephonic conference, Webb's attorney stated: BY MR. WEIR: Judge, I think the way they had it fixed, the summary judgment motion applied to the amended complaint. BY THE COURT: That's right. That is exactly right.... BY MR. WEIR: Well, they have answered the amended complaint, and everybody has taken the position, really, unless you haven't, that the whole thing would be taking the position that the amended complaint was considered. BY THE COURT: I think I took that position. Clearly, both Webb's attorney and the judge understood that the summary judgment motion and the judge's ruling applied to the Amended Complaint. A client is bound by the statement of his or her attorney [w]hen, during the course of a trial [the] attorney, with intent to influence the ruling or decision by the court on a point in issue, makes a solemn statement to the court committing his client to some legal position on the issue before the court... . Sears, Roebuck & Co. v. Devers, 405 So.2d 898, 900 (Miss. 1981). Since Webb is bound, the question is whether summary judgment was proper on that section of Webb's Complaint. As stated, the City of Newton enjoys sovereign immunity since Officer Jackson was involved in the performance of a governmental function. As to that section of the Complaint, Officer Jackson enjoys qualified immunity since the misconduct alleged does not fall within one of the three exceptions to qualified immunity. Summary judgment was proper on that issue.