Court Opinion

ID: 9644521
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-22 20:58:32.584855+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:50:36.503717
License: Public Domain

LATTIMORE, Justice,
concurring.
I concur.
The opinion of the Supreme Court of Texas, in the prior mandamus proceeding cited by the majority, forecloses any evi-dentiary consideration by this court of the issue of control by Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. of the deponent Sam Walton. The evidence considered by the trial court to be sufficient to support the trial court in the prior mandamus proceeding contains the same element in this proceeding with regard to “control” of Walton by Wal-Mart, Inc.
We may not determine if in fact it is convenient and reasonable for Sam Walton to appear in Fort Worth, Texas to be deposed. Nor may we consider or examine the trial court’s motives in determining that Sam Walton acted improperly in seeking instructions and guidance from a court in his home state, the designated site of the deposition by the Supreme Court of Texas.
It appears that the coercive power of the trial court here lies in striking at the assets of Walton, i.e. the value of his stock in Wal-Mart. Even though Walton is not a party to the suit, nor is he a subpoenoed witness, nor has he ever consented to be a witness in Texas, he is being attacked by the trial court and accused of outrageous conduct. This interpretation of Walton’s conduct is laid at the door of Wal-Mart, and Wal-Mart is to be punished by extreme sanctions on some theory of vicarious liability for Walton’s state of mind.
The drivers of this unfortunate series of events appear to be the desire of skilled and strong-willed lawyers and judge to prevail regardless of the imbalance between procedure and results. This does little to improve the standing of the civil justice system with the public.
*592I concur only because I must follow the law as it now stands.