Court Opinion

ID: 9690438
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-24 19:13:19.59089+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:18:57.115435
License: Public Domain

GOHMERT, JR., Chief Justice,
concurring.
I respectfully concur. In a full analysis of the published stories by Appellants, the gist appears to be a good deal more about Appellant than indicated in the majority opinion. It would seem that the gist of the story should be more as follows: the Kun-dyseks bought a house that was advertised to be newly constructed by Reedy, though Reedy had used part of the foundation from the previous house on the lot; after they moved in, the Kundyseks had a substantial plumbing leak develop that allowed a major accumulation of water under the house; the water was not drained timely causing mold contamination of the house and the Kundyseks moved out of the house; Reedy says it was a unique problem, yet he is being sued by another homeowner across the street for a similar problem.
In fairness to Reedy, he and his actions are at the heart of the “gist” of the stories in the mind of the average reader or viewer. The stories may well have cast him in a bad light. As stated in the majority opinion, however, the applicable law here compels an analysis of the stories and the gist, with truth being an absolute defense. See Tex. Civ. PRAC. & Rem.Code Ann. § 73.005 (Vernon 1997). According to Lewis and Mcllvain also cited above, a media defendant is entitled to summary judgment upon a showing of the substantial truth of its publication. Unfortunately for Appellant, the supporting evidence for the facts underlying the gist of the stories is indisputable. Until and unless our supreme court reconsiders the requirements for reviewing such a case and the feasibility of determining a “gist,” I must concur in the outcome of this decision.