in Re: Thomas Lytle and Ellen Lytle

Court of Appeals of Texas·Decided October 9, 2015·No. 12-15-00216-CV·Published

Opinion

ACCEPTED 12-15-00216-CV TWELFTH COURT OF APPEALS TYLER, TEXAS 10/9/2015 2:42:33 PM Pam Estes CLERK

NO. 12-15-00216-CV

FILED IN IN THE COURT OF APPEALS 12th COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE TWELFTY DISTRICT OF TEXAS TYLER, TEXAS 10/9/2015 2:42:33 PM PAM ESTES Clerk

IN RE THOMAS LYTLE AND ELLEN LYTLE, REALTORS,

V.

THE HONORABLE TERESA DRUM, JUDGE PRESIDING 29TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT OF VAN ZANDT COUNTY, TEXAS RESPONDENT,

Real Parties in Interest:

DAVID C. PETRUSKA SANDRA L. PETRUSKA HELMUTH K. GUTZKE AND ZACKIANN GUTZKE, DEFENDANTS.

REAL PARTIES IN INTEREST DAVID C. PETRUSKA’S AND SANDRA L. PETRUSKA’S APPENDIX TO RESPONSE TO PETITION FOR WRIT OF MANDAMUS

Michael F. Pezzulli State Bar No. 15881900 michael@courtroom.com 14911 Quorum Drive, Suite 340 Dallas, Texas 75254 Ph: 469-916-7700 Fax: 469-916-7705 JOHN F. WARREN Dallas County Clerk George Allen Sr. Court Bldg. 600 Commerce St, Ste 101 Dallas, Texas 75202-3551

STATE OF TEXAS

COUNTY OF DALLAS

I, Jolm F. Warren, Clerk of the County Court of Dallas County Court at Law No. 2, Dallas County, Texas do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of document in Cause No. CC-14-03303-B.

THOMAS LYTLE, PLAINTIFF (S) vs DAVID C. PETRUSKA, DEFENDANT (S)

PLAINTIFF'S ORIGINAL PETITION filed on 8th day of July, 2014 REGISTER OF ACTIONS filed on gth day of July, 2014 in the Dallas County Court at Law No. 2, Dallas County, Texas.

WITNESS MY HAND AND SEAL of said Court this 6th day of October, 2015.

RPI 0001 FILED 7/8/2014 1:21 :56 PM JOHN F. WARREN COUNTY CLERK DALLAS COUNTY

CAUSE No.CC-14-03303-B

THOMAS LYTLE § IN THE COUNTY COURT § v. § COUNTY COURT AT LAW NO. § DAYID C. PETRUSKA § DALLAS COUNTY, TEXAS

PLAINTIFF'S ORIGINAL PETITION

TO THE HONORABLE JUDGE OF SAID COURT:

NOW COMES Thomas Lytle, hereinafter called Plaintiff, complaining of and about

David C. Petruska, hereinafter called Defendant, and for cause of action show the Court the

following:

DISCOVERY CONTROL PLAN LEVEL

1. Plaintiffs intend that discovery be conducted under Discovery Level 2.

PARTIES AND SERVICE

2. Plaintiff, Thomas Lytle, is an individual whose address is 1603 Van Zandt County

Road 2319, Canton, Texas 75103.

3. Defendant David C. Petruska, an individual who is a resident of Dallas, Texas,

may be served with process at his residence 11264 Russwood Circle, Dallas, Texas 75229 or at

his place of business at 5944 Luther Lane, Suite 450, Dallas, Texas 75225. Service of said

Defendant as described above can be effected by personal delivery.

JURISDICTION AND VENUE

4. The damages sought are within the jurisdictional limits of this Court.

5. Plaintiff seeks monetary relief of over $200,000 but not more than $1,000,000.00.

6. This court has personal jurisdiction herein because Defendant is a Texas resident.

PLAINTIFF'S ORIGINAL PETITION ~ TRUE AND CORRECT Page 1 \\Bdnt-fsl \wpprolaw\3191.003\259143.docx (~(~~; COPY OF ORIGINAL ~-· ~·~· FILED IN DALLAS RPI 0002 ~m ~ COUNTY Cl ER K'SOFf'tCE 7. Venue in Dallas County is proper in this cause under Section 15 .002( a)(2) of the

Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code because Defendant resides in this county.

FACTS

8. Plaintiff and his wife are the owners of certain real property in Van Zandt County.

Part of the property is a private driveway from their home entering onto Van Zandt County

Road 2319.

9. Unknown to Plaintiff, Defendant Petruska and his wife had fraudulently filed

documents in the real property records of Van Zandt County claiming an easement to use

Plaintiffs driveway. No such easement existed.

10. On or about February 14, 2014, Defendant Petruska was informed that Plaintiff

would be erecting a barrier along the driveway which would preclude any access from

Defendant's property to the driveway. On or about February 15, 2014, Plaintiff was on his

tractor transporting supplies for fencing on the driveway when he was met on the driveway by

Defendant Petruska.

11. Defendant Petruska began arguing with Plaintiff about an alleged right to use the

driveway which Plaintiff explicitly stated did not exist. Defendant Petruska then returned to his

vehicle to get a weapon, what to Plaintiff appeared to be an ARI 5 assault weapon. Defendant

Petruska walked onto Plaintiffs property and pointed the weapon directly at Plaintiff who was

only about ten (10) feet away, declaring he had a right to use Plaintiffs driveway. Defendant

Petruska went on to tell Plaintiff that he was a Veteran of the war in Vietnam and suffered from

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Defendant stated, while pointing the weapon at Plaintiff, "I've

killed a lot of men and you have not killed any and I am going to kill you." Plaintiff, in fear for

his life, put his arms in the air and told Defendant Petruska he was calling law enforcement on

PLAINTIFF'S ORIGINAL PETITION Page 2 \\Bdnt-fsl \wpprolaw\3191.003\259143.docx RPI 0003 his mobile phone. In response, Defendant Petruska walked across the property line to his

property, still holding his weapon, and dared Plaintiff to call the Sheriff. Plaintiff quickly got on

the tractor and drove back to his house and called the Sheriff.

THREAT OF BODILY INJURY

12. Defendant intentionally and knowingly threatened Plaintiff with imminent bodily

injury. Defendant pointed an assault rifle at Plaintiff from less than 10 feet away, and threatened

Plaintiff with imminent bodily injury, expressing his intent shoot and to kill Plaintiff. Defendant

stated to Plaintiff that Defendant had killed people in the past and that he suffered from a mental

disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Plaintiff was in fear that he would be shot.

13. Defendant's threat directly and proximately caused injury to Plaintiff. Plaintiff

continues to suffer from apprehension that Defendant will cause him injury. When Defendant

visits the property Plaintiff feels forced to stay out of sight and to avoid any contact with

Defendant. This fear and apprehension has caused Plaintiff to suffer from nightmares and

insomnia, fear of leaving his home and inability to focus on anything other than the incident and

safety of his home and his wife at the times Defendant is at his home. Plaintiff now feels the

need to sleep with a weapon nearby. This severe apprehension and fear has caused damage

including past and future pain and suffering, past and future mental anguish, loss of income,

physical impairment, past and future medical expenses and loss of consortium.

EXEMPLARY DAMAGES

14. Plaintiff would further show that Plaintiffs injuries resulted from Defendant's

malice. Defendant acted with the specific intent to cause substantial injury and/or harm to

Plaintiff and to intimidate Plaintiff in granting Defendant a right to use Plaintiffs property. It

was Defendant's intent to intimidate Plaintiff into believing that an easement existed by utilizing

PLAINTIFF'S ORIGINAL PETITION Page 3 \\Bdnt-fsl \wpprolaw\3191.003\259143.docx

RPI 0004 a deadly weapon to instill fear in Plaintiff, thus causing harm to Plaintiff. Plaintiff seeks

recovery from Defendant for exemplary damages as provided by Section 41.003(a) of the Texas

Civil Practice and Remedies Code. As Defendant's conduct is described by the Texas Penal

Code § 22.02 as an aggravated assault, the limitation of damages in Texas Civil Practice and

Remedies Code § 41.008 does not apply.

JURY DEMAND

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