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374 S.W.2d 250

State v. Spears

Court of Appeals of Texas

Decided November 13, 1963

Court of Appeals of Texas · decided 1963-11-13

Cited by 5 later decisions — most recently December 1977

5 state decisions

Key passage — most relied on by later courts

““The jury was not authorized to-fix a value on the property in question, after the taking, at a less sum than that given by any witness. Houston Belt & Terminal Ry. Co. v. Lynch, Tex.Civ.App., 185 S.W. 362 ; Roberts v. State, Tex.Civ.App., 350 S.W.2d 388 . “The award found by the jury was excessive by the sum of $645.00””

quoted by 1 later decision, including Rector v. De Arana

Relies on Houston Belt & Terminal v. Lynch · Roberts v. State · Houston Belt & Terminal Ry. Co. v. Lynch

Good law ✅— No negative treatment on recordhow we know

Decided 1963-11-13

View the full empirical analysis of this case →

STEPHENSON, Justice.

¶1 This is an eminent domain case brought by the State of Texas to acquire a strip of land for highway right-of-way purposes. This was a partial taking case and the only-points involved aré in connection with the-value of the remainder after the taking.. The State contends this finding of the jury is supported by no evidence and that such-finding is against the overwhelming weight and preponderance of the evidence.

¶2 The jury found, the market value of the-remainder, after taking, to be $8,905.00. Four expert witnesses testified, and placed' this value at $10,781.00, $11,735.00, $10,-387.00 and $9,550.00.

¶3 The jury was not authorized to fix a value on the property in question, after the taking, at a less sum than that given-by any witness. Houston Belt & Terminal Ry. Co. v. Lynch, Tex.Civ.App., 185 S.W. 362; Roberts v. State, Tex.Civ.App., 350 S.W.2d 388.

¶4 The award found by the jury was-.excessive by the sum of $645.00. We conclude, therefore, that the appellees should be allowed to take the lesser sum if they so desire; and, if appellees shall file in> this court within 15 days their remittitur of $645.00, being the difference between the-$8,905.00 found by the jury to be the value of the remainder, after taking, and $9,550.-00 being the least value testified to by the-witnesses, as to such value. Such remit-titur must also include all interest which has accrued on such $645.00. Failing this remittitur, the trial court judgment will be reversed and remanded. Rule 440, Texas Rules of Civil Procedure. Houston Belt & Terminal Ry. Co. v. Lynch, Tex.Com.App., 221 S.W. 959; Hopson v. Gulf Oil Corp., Tex.Civ.App., 237 S.W.2d 323.

¶5 The judgment is affirmed conditionally.

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