in Re Frank Beck ( 2019 )

NUMBER 13-19-00174-CV
COURT OF APPEALS
THIRTEENTH DISTRICT OF TEXAS
CORPUS CHRISTI - EDINBURG
IN RE FRANK BECK
On Petition for Writ of Mandamus.
MEMORANDUM OPINION
Before Chief Justice Contreras and Justices Longoria and Perkes
Memorandum Opinion by Justice Perkes1
Through this original proceeding, relator Frank Beck contends that the trial court
abused its discretion by granting a motion for sanctions filed by the real party in interest,
Sandra Beck Mills, executor of the estate of Douglas H. Beck. The order states that the
trial court found that relator “had a duty to preserve the evidence of the blood samples,
that he breached that duty, and that the [real party] is harmed and prejudiced thereby.”
The trial court concluded that “the appropriate sanction is to prohibit [relator] from using
1 See TEX. R. APP. P. 52.8(d) (“When denying relief, the court may hand down an opinion but is not
required to do so. When granting relief, the court must hand down an opinion as in any other case.”); see
also id. R. 47.4 (distinguishing opinions and memorandum opinions).
the autopsy results, report and deposition of Dr. Adel Shaker to the extent they rely on
the blood samples.” Relator contends that this order constitutes a death penalty sanction.
To obtain relief by writ of mandamus, a relator must establish that an underlying
order is void or a clear abuse of discretion and that no adequate appellate remedy exists.
In re Nationwide Ins. Co. of Am., 494 S.W.3d 708, 712 (Tex. 2016) (orig. proceeding); In
re Prudential Ins. Co. of Am., 148 S.W.3d 124, 135–36 (Tex. 2004) (orig. proceeding);
Walker v. Packer, 827 S.W.2d 833, 839–40 (Tex. 1992) (orig. proceeding). An abuse of
discretion occurs when a trial court’s ruling is arbitrary and unreasonable or is made
without regard for guiding legal principles or supporting evidence. In re Nationwide, 494
S.W.3d at 712; Ford Motor Co. v. Garcia, 363 S.W.3d 573, 578 (Tex. 2012). We
determine the adequacy of an appellate remedy by balancing the benefits of mandamus
review against the detriments. In re Essex Ins. Co., 450 S.W.3d 524, 528 (Tex. 2014)
(orig. proceeding); In re Prudential Ins. Co. of Am., 148 S.W.3d at 136.
Orders imposing discovery sanctions are generally reviewed on appeal from the
final judgment. See TEX. R. CIV. P. 215.3. However, under certain circumstances,
sanction orders are subject to review before final judgment by writ of mandamus. In re
Garza, 544 S.W.3d 836, 840 (Tex. 2018) (orig. proceeding) (per curiam). Mandamus is
available when a court imposes death penalty sanctions that have the effect of
adjudicating all or a substantial part of the dispute, but which do not result in the rendition
of an appealable judgment. Id.; see TransAmerican Nat. Gas Corp. v. Powell, 811 S.W.2d
913, 919 (Tex. 1991) (orig. proceeding). Similarly, mandamus is available to review
sanctions that “thwart effective appellate review by precluding a decision on the merits.”
In re Garza, 544 S.W.3d at 840; see Braden v. Downey, 811 S.W.2d 922, 928–29 (Tex.
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1991) (orig. proceeding). Appeal is not an adequate remedy where the practically certain
effect of the sanctions will be reversal with the attendant waste of resources and time. In
re Garza, 544 S.W.3d at 841; see In re Prudential Ins. Co., 148 S.W.3d at 136.
To conclude that a party spoliated evidence, the court must find that (1) the
spoliating party had a duty to reasonably preserve evidence, and (2) the party
intentionally or negligently breached that duty by failing to do so. Petroleum Sols., Inc.
v. Head, 454 S.W.3d 482, 488 (Tex. 2014); Brookshire Bros., Ltd. v. Aldridge, 438 S.W.3d
9, 20 (Tex. 2014). Once a trial court has found spoliation, “the trial court has broad
discretion to impose a remedy that, as with any discovery sanction, must be
proportionate; that is, it must relate directly to the conduct giving rise to the sanction and
may not be excessive.” Brookshire Bros., Ltd., 438 S.W.3d at 20. “Key considerations in
imposing a remedy are the level of culpability of the spoliating party and the degree of
prejudice, if any, suffered by the nonspoliating party.” Id. Whether a party spoliated
evidence and whether a particular remedy is appropriate are questions of law for the trial
court. Petroleum Sols., Inc., 454 S.W.3d at 488; Brookshire Bros. Ltd., 438 S.W.3d at 20.
The Court, having examined and fully considered the petition for writ of mandamus,
the response filed by the real party in interest, the record presented, and the applicable
law, is of the opinion that relator has not met his burden to obtain mandamus relief.
Accordingly, we deny the petition for writ of mandamus. See TEX. R. APP. P. 52.8(a),
52.10(b).
GREGORY T. PERKES
Justice
Delivered and filed the
25th day of April, 2019.
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