Court Opinion

ID: 2953139
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-09-16 23:07:55.492216+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:01:24.508538
License: Public Domain

TEXAS COURT OF APPEALS, THIRD DISTRICT, AT AUSTIN

                                        NO. 03-11-00822-CV

                 In re Kim Henderson and Randy Henderson, Individually
                         and as Next Friends of MFPD 263, a Minor

                     ORIGINAL PROCEEDING FROM BURNET COUNTY

                            M E M O R AN D U M O P I N I O N

               Relators Kim Henderson and Randy Henderson, individually and as next friends

of MFPD 263, a minor, filed a petition for writ of mandamus alleging that the district court’s

November 29, 2011 “Judge’s Fiat Regarding Pretrial Publicity By Parties” violates their

constitutional free speech rights and should be vacated. The petition raises important issues as to

the proper balancing of the constitutional rights to free speech and fair trial. However, the

Hendersons do not show that they have asked the district court for relief from the order and that

such relief was denied, or that such a request would have been futile; thus mandamus relief

is not appropriate at this time. See Terrazas v. Ramirez, 829 S.W.2d 712, 723-25 (Tex. 1991);

In re Hearst Newspapers, 241 S.W.3d 190, 192 (Tex. App.—Houston [14th Dist.] 2007,

orig. proceeding); cf. In re Houston Chronicle, 64 S.W.3d 103, 106 (Tex. App.—Houston

[14th Dist.] 2001, orig. proceeding).
               Accordingly, the Hendersons’ petition for mandamus is denied without prejudice.

See Tex. R. App. P. 52.8(a). Real party-in-interest Todd Freking’s unopposed first amended motion

to seal is granted, and the Hendersons’ motion for temporary relief is dismissed.

                                      __________________________________________

                                      Jeff Rose, Justice

Before Justices Puryear, Rose and Goodwin

Filed: December 22, 2011

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