Opinion
No. 09-09-00413-CV
Opinion Delivered September 4, 2009.
Original Proceeding.
Before McKEITHEN, C.J., GAULTNEY and HORTON, JJ.
MEMORANDUM OPINION
Meagan Osborne filed a petition for mandamus review of a pre-trial ruling excluding a fact witness. Osborne asks this Court to stay the trial, which is scheduled for next week, as interim relief. We deny the petition for writ of mandamus and the motion to stay trial court proceedings.
The underlying suit was filed by Renee Michele Hollier individually and as the personal representative of the Estate of Jordan Hollier against Walton Transportation Company, Kevin Alan Lavine and Meagan Osborne. Hollier objected to Osborne's designation of the decedent's father, Cepheus Hollier, as a fact witness. The trial court ruled that Osborne would not be allowed to offer the testimony of Cepheus Hollier during the trial. Osborne argues she has no adequate remedy at law because the trial court's exclusion of this witness will severely compromise the heart of her defense. Osborne contends this witness would rebut Hollier's exaggerated claim for mental anguish damages and would testify that Hollier did not sustain any economic damages as a result of the accident.
Mandamus relief is available to correct a clear abuse of discretion for which a relator has no adequate remedy at law. In re Prudential Ins. Co. of Am., 148 S.W.3d 124, 135-36 (Tex. 2004). We determine the adequacy of an appellate remedy by balancing the benefits of mandamus review against the detriments. Id. at 136. Osborne has not shown that the benefits of mandamus review in this case outweigh the detriments of pre-trial review of the trial court's ruling. Accordingly, we deny the petition for writ of mandamus and the motion to stay trial court proceedings.
PETITION DENIED.