No. ___________________
_______________________________________________________________
FILED IN
IN THE 2nd COURT OF APPEALS
FORT WORTH, TEXAS
SECOND DISTRICT COURT OF APPEALS OF TEXAS
4/20/2016 11:31:42 AM
AT FORT WORTH DEBRA SPISAK
Clerk
_______________________________________________________________
In re MIDWESTERN CATTLE MARKETING, LLC,
RELATOR,
_______________________________________________________________
FROM THE
ST
271 JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT
OF JACK COUNTY, TEXAS
THE HONORABLE JOHN FOSTEL PRESIDING
_______________________________________________________________
APPENDIX TO
PETITION FOR WRIT OF MANDAMUS
_______________________________________________________________
Christopher B. Trowbridge
Texas Bar No. 24008182
Beverly A. Whitley
Texas Bar No. 21374500
R. Heath Cheek
Texas Bar No. 24053141
Gregory D. Kelminson
Texas Bar No. 24070045
BELL NUNNALLY & MARTIN LLP
3232 McKinney Avenue, Suite 1400
Dallas, Texas 75204-2429
Telephone: (214) 740-1400
Telecopy: (214) 740-1499
ATTORNEYS FOR RELATOR
MIDWESTERN CATTLE
MARKETING, LLC
APPENDIX
A. Order Denying Plaintiff’s Motion to Strike Petition in Intervention,
and Alternative Motion to Sever (signed March 21, 2016) ...................... R080
B. Plaintiff’s Original Petition (filed July 6, 2015)....................................... R002
C. First Amended Petition in Intervention (filed February 26, 2016) ......... R040
D. Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 60
E. Texas Rule of Evidence 404
2628810_1.DOCX
2
Appendix A
CAUSE NO. 15-07-061
MIDWESTERN CA'ITLE § IN THE DISTRICT COURT
MARKETING, LLC §
§
Plaintiff §
§
vs. §
§
TONYE. LYON d/b/a LYON FARMS, §
OWEN LYON and MONNA LYON §
§ JACK COUN'IY, TEXAS
Defendant §
§
and §
§
NORTHWEST CAITLE FEEDERS, §
L.L.C. and RILEY LIVESTOCK, INC. §
§
Intervenors § 271ST JUDICIAL DISTRICT
ORDER DENYING PLAINTIFF'S MOTION TO STRIKE PETITION IN
INTERVENTION, AND ALTERNATIVE MOTION TO SEVER
The Court heard Plaintiffs Motion to Strike Petition in Inten·ention, and
Alternative Motion to Sever on March 4, 2016. After the hearing, the Court took the
matter under further consideration. After review of the Motion, the Response, the
evidence offered at the hearing, and the arguments of counsel, the Court concludes that
the Motion should be denied.
Therefore, it is ordered that Plaintiffs Motion to Strike Petition in Intervention,
and Alternative Motion to Sever is hereby DENIED.
ta :l/{F~_ED P.M.
MAR 2· 1 2016
TRACIE PIPPIN DIST. CLERK
)d JACK COUN1Y TEXAS
1
BY. DEPUTY
v~
R080
Appendix B
CAUSE NO. I .5 - 01-a (p(
MIDWESTERN CATTLE MARKETING, § IN THE DISTRICT COURT
LLC, §
§
Plaintiff, §
§
v. §
§
TONYE. LYON d/b/a LYON FARMS, § 271 51 JUDICIAL DISTRICT
individually, OWEN LYON, individually §
and MONNA LYON, individually, §
§
Defendants. §
§ JACK COUNTY, TEXAS
PLAJNTlFF'S ORIGINAL PETITION
TO THE HONORABLE JUDGE OF SAID COURT:
Plaintiff Midwestern Cattle Marketing, LLC ("MWC") complains of Defendants Tony E.
Lyon d/b/a Lyon Farms ("Tony Lyon"), ind ividually, Owen Lyon ("Owen Lyon"), individually,
and Monna Lyon, individually ("Monna Lyon") (together "Defendants") and respectfully shows
the Court the following:
I.
DISCOVERY CONTROL PLAN & MONETARY RELIEF
1. Discovery is intended to be conducted under Level 2, pursuant to Rule 190.3 of
the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure. MWC reserves the right to request reassignment to a
different discovery control plan level.
2. MWC seeks monetary relief greater than $ 1,000,000.00.
FIL -
- - - - A.M / :,;i._u P.r...
JUL 6 2015
TRAClc PIPPIN DIST. ClcRK
CK COUNTY, rEXAS
BY DEPUTY
PLAlNTIFF'S ORIGINAL PET ITION PAGE 1
R002
II.
PARTIES
3. Plaintiff MWC is a Nebraska limited liability company authorized to conduct
business in Texas.
4. Defendant Tony E. Lyon d/b/a Lyon Farm is an individual who resides in Perrin,
Texas and may be served with process at his residence at 3100 Back Cemetery Road, Perrin, TX
76486 or wherever he may be found.
5. Defendant Owen Lyon is an individual who resides Perrin, Texas and may be
served with process at his residence and/or business at 1890 Hardy Road, Perrin, TX 76486, or
wherever he may be found.
6. Defendant Monna Lyon is an individual who resides in Perrin, Texas and may be
served with process at her residence and/or business at 1890 Hardy Road, Perrin, TX 76486, or
wherever she may be found.
III.
JURISDICTION AND VENUE
7. The Court has jurisdiction over this controversy because the damages are within
the Court's jurisdictional limits.
8. Pursuant to Section 15.002 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, venue
is proper in Jack County, Texas because it is the county of Defendants' residences and/or
businesses at the time the cause of action accrued. Venue is also proper because a substantial
part of the events or omissions giving rise to the causes of action asserted herein occurred in Jack
County, Texas. Further, venue is proper in Jack County, Texas pursuant to Section 15.005 of the
Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code.
PLAINTIFF'S ORIGINAL PETITION PAGE2
R003
IV.
FACTS
9. MWC was founded in 2008 by a team of cattlemen with nearly 100 years of
combined experience in the cattle business. MWC is built on a foundation of solid relationships
- some reaching back 25 years or more - that continue to be maintained with a high level of
service and integrity. MWC offers personal service to every customer and provides superior
quality that contributes to their bottom line.
10. In essence, MWC acts as cattle brokers or "order buyers." It makes cattle
purchases simple, straightforward, and profitable for producers and buyers alike. As part of its
business, MWC matches cattle producers with cattle buyers. Once matched, MWC pays for the
cattle when the company picks up the cattle from the producer. MWC is then paid when the
cattle are delivered to the seller. Accordingly, MWC makes its profit from the spread of the buy
and sell.
11. In July 2011, MWC and its owner Jason O'Co1U1ell met Tony Lyon in a sale barn
in Graham, Texas. Shortly after this July 2011 meeting, MWC, impressed by the representations
and ma1U1erisms of Tony Lyon, decided to enter into a business arrangement with one another.
As part of the agreement, Tony Lyon, through the assistance of Owen and Mo1U1a Lyon, would
buy cattle for MWC from the producer and charge the purchase price to the company. MWC
would then provide for the delivery of the cattle to the buyer. Through these years and
transactions, Tony Lyon built trust and befriended Jason O'Connell.
12. Unfortunately, Tony Lyon was not worthy of such trust. Unbeknownst to MWC,
prior to ever meeting Jason O'Connell, Tony Lyon had been sentenced to 37 months in prison
and ordered to pay more than $6 million for perpetrating a fraudulent cattle-buying scheme.
After his release from prison Tony Lyon again found himself in trouble. The U.S. Department of
PLAINTIFF'S ORIGINAL PETITION PAGE3
R004
Agriculture fined Tony Lyon $153,000 for, among other things: (1) failing to pay when due the
full purchase price of livestock purchased in commerce; (2) failing to have and maintain
sufficient funds on deposit and available in the account upon which checks for livestock
purchase are drawn to pay them when presented.
13. However, without knowledge of Mr. Lyon's background, MWC continued to do
business with and trust Tony Lyon. Indeed, around the beginning of 2014, to make their
business dealing more efficient, MWC provided a MWC checkbook and signature stamp to Tony
Lyon so he could sign checks on MWC's behalf.
14. This act of trust was apparently too much for Mr. Lyon, he was unable to restrain
himself, and the defrauding of MWC began. Tony Lyon informed MWC that he met a "big
money" buyer named John George, owner of George Cattle Company in Fort Worth, who
wanted to get into cattle through a "feeding club". A feeding club is where investors pool money
in the cattle market to buy, hold, and flip cattle for profit.
15. MWC, relying on Tony Lyon's representations to be true, set up repeated
transactions with George Cattle Company as the buyer. Under the agreement: (a) Tony Lyon
would write a check from MWC to either Owen Lyon or Lyon Farms, the d/b/a of Owen and
Tony Lyon; (b) Tony Lyon would then send MWC a hand-written invoice by fax that detailed
the number of cattle, the weight, etc., and the total amount due for the cattle; (c) Tony Lyon
would then request that MWC invoice George Cattle Company; (d) MWC would fax the invoice
to Tony Lyon; (e) Tony Lyon would tell MWC that the cattle should then be sent to George
Cattle Company; (t) Tony would present the MWC invoice to George Cattle Company for
payment; (g) George Cattle Company would then pay Lyon Farms and Lyon Farms would then
payMWC.
PLAINTIFF'S ORIGINAL PETITION PAGE4
R005
16. Despite the representations made by Defendants and unbeknownst to MWC, there
was never John George or George Cattle Company. Instead, Tony Lyon was deviously created
John George and George Cattle Company as a front for a fraudulent scheme to steal Plaintifrs
cattle and money.
17. In late June 2015, Tony Lyon's deplorable scheme was ultimately discovered
when MWC's bank PointsWest Bank-contacted MWC to inform it of a suspicious transaction
involving Tony Lyon and George Cattle Company. MWC deposit a check written on June 26,
2015, for the amount of $5,020,230.11 from Lyon Farms. The check was signed by Defendant
Monna Lyon and was written from the account of"Owen or Monna D Lyon Cattle Account."
18. PointsWest Bank called Lyon Farms' bank - Legend Bank - to verify if the
check would clear Lyon Farms' account. Legend Bank informed PointsWest Bank that the check
would not clear. The check was ultimately returned for insufficient funds on July 1, 2015.
However, while the banks were determining whether the check would clear, Tony Lyon wrote
the following checks from the MWC account without authorization:
• Check 1000892 $31,842.71 to K.L.
• Check 1000894 $1,772,959.76 to Defendant Owen Lyon
• Check 1000895 $1,644,308.00 to Defendant Owen Lyon
• Check 1001336 $344,400.00 to L.H.
All of these checks were paid by the bank.
19. Once MWC was informed by PointsWest Bank that the check would not clear,
MWC contacted Tony Lyon. Preying upon MWC's trust yet again, Tony Lyon said he would
get the money from George Cattle Company. Tony Lyon then called back MWC and lied to
MWC that he received the funds and would wire it in the morning.
PLAINTIFF'S ORIGINAL PETITION PAGES
R006
20. Despite this assurance, Tony Lyon did not wire the money as promis~d. Because
the $5,020,230.11 wire never came through even though MWC fully performed, MWC
unsuccessfully attempted to stop payment on its outstanding checks. As a result, MWC went
from having over one million dollars in its bank account to being overdrawn by $1,644,440.36.
21. When MWC confronted Tony Lyon about why the check bounced, Tony Lyon
admitted that indeed there was no money, no cattle and George Cattle Company never existed.
22. On information and belief, Owen Lyon and Monna Lyon acted as agents of Tony
Lyon in the conduct described above.
23. Further, on information and belief, the money that was deposited in Defendants'
accounts is in the process of being removed from the accounts and hidden by Defendants, thus,
necessitating extraordinary relief.
24. All conditions precedent to Plaintiffs recovery have been fully performed, or
have occurred or been waived.
v.
CAUSES OF ACTION
COUNT ONE: COMMON LAW FRAUD
25. MWC hereby repeats and incorporates by reference each and every allegation
contained in all paragraphs set forth above.
26. Defendants made multiple false representations to MWC regarding the
$5,020,230.11 transaction with George Cattle Company. These representations included that (1)
George Cattle Company existed and bought cattle, (2) Defendants had the money to pay MWC
the amount owed, and (3) Defend ants talked to George Cattle Company and would wire the
$5,020,230.11. Those representations were material. Defendants knew the representations were
false when they were made. Defendants made the representations with the intent that MWC rely
PLAINTIFF'S ORIGINAL PETITION PAGE6
R007
and act on them. MWC justifiably relied on the representations in providing for the delivery of
cattle and for writing other checks on the account with the belief the check for $5,020,230.11
would clear, and, as a result, suffered injury for which it seeks judgment.
COUNT TWO: CIVIL THEFT
27. MWC hereby repeats and incorporates by reference each and every allegation
contained in all paragraphs set forth above.
28. Defendants violated the Texas Civil Theft Liability Act and Sections 31.03 and
31.06 of the Texas Penal Code. The actions of Defendants constitute civil theft because
Defendants, knowingly and without effective consent, appropriated cattle or, alternatively,
money belonging to MWC, for the purpose of using that property for their own benefit.
29. Defendants obtained property by issuing a check when they did not have
sufficient funds for the payment in full of the check. On June 26, 2015, Defendants received
notice that their account had insufficient funds, and the Defendants have failed to pay the holder
in full within 10 days after receiving notice of that refusal. MWC has been injured as a
proximate result of Defendants' actions in an amount to be more fully demonstrated at trial. In
addition, because the harm caused by Defendants results from fraud, malice, and/or gross
negligence, MWC is entitled to recovery of exemplary damages. In addition, MWC is entitled to
recover court costs and reasonable and necessary attorneys' fees. See TEX. CIV. PRAC. &
REM. CODE§ 134.00S(b).
PLAINTIFF'S ORIGINAL PETITION PAGE7
R008
COUNT THREE: NEGLIGENT MISREPRESENTATION
30. MWC hereby repeats and incorporates by reference each and every allegation
contained in all paragraphs set forth above.
31. Defendants made multiple false representations to MWC regarding the
$5,020,230.11 transaction with George Cattle Company. These representations included that:
(1) George Cattle Company existed and bought cattle; (2) they had the money to pay MWC the
amount owed; and (3) Defendants talked to George Cattle Company and would wire the
$5,020,230.11. Those representations were made in the course of Defendants' business or in a
transaction in which he had a pecuniary interest. Defendants did not exercise reasonable care or
competence in communicating those representations. MWC justifiably relied on the
representations in providing for the delivery of cattle and for writing other checks on the account
with the belief the check for $5,020,230.11 would clear, and, as a result, suffered injury for
which it seeks judgment.
COUNTFOUR: FRAUDULENTINDUCEMENT
32. MWC hereby repeats and incorporates by reference each and every allegation
contained in all paragraphs set forth above.
33. Defendants made multiple false representations to MWC regarding the
$5,020,230.11 transaction with George Cattle Company. These representations included that:
(1) George Cattle Company existed and bought cattle; (2) they had the money to pay MWC the
amount owed; and (3) they talked to George Cattle Company and would wire the $5,020,230.11.
Those representations were material. Defendants knew the representations were false when they
were made. Defendants made the representations with the intent that MWC rely and act on
them. MWC justifiably relied on the representations in entering into the agreement to provide
PLAINTIFF'S ORIGINAL PETITION PAGES
R009
delivery of cattle, and, as a result, suffered injury for which it seeks judgment.
COUNT FIVE: CONVERSION
34. MWC hereby repeats and incorporates by reference each and every allegation
contained in all paragraphs set forth above.
35. As detailed above, Defendants wrongfully possessed MWC's property. MWC
entrusted Defendants to faithfully provide for the delivery of cattle and remit payment.
36. MWC has incurred substantial damages as a direct and proximate result of
Defendants' wrongful conduct and dominion ofMWC's property.
COUNT SIX: MONEY HAD AND RECEIVED
37. MWC hereby repeats and incorporates by reference each and every allegation
contained in all paragraphs set forth above.
38. Defendants hold money that, in equity and good conscience, belongs to MWC.
MWC are entitled to recover this money from Defendants, in an amount to be more fully
demonstrated at trial.
COUNTSEVEN: BREACHOFCONTRACT
39. MWC hereby repeats and incorporates by reference each and every allegation
contained in all paragraphs set forth above.
40. MWC and Defendants are parties to an Agreement. Pursuant to the Agreement,
Defendants assisted MWC in the purchase and selling of cattle. Defendants were to provide the
appropriate money to MWC for the selling price of the cattle. Defendants breached this
Agreement by failing to provide MWC with the money owed.
PLAINTIFF'S ORIGINAL PETITION PAGE9
R010
41. MWC has been injured as a proximate result of Defendants' actions in an amount
to be more fully demonstrated at trial. In addition, Plaintiffs are entitled to recovery of attorneys'
fees. See TEX. CN. PRAC. & REM. CODE § 38.001 {Vernon 2008).
COUNT EIGHT-QUANTUM MERUIT
42. MWC hereby repeats and incorporates by reference each and every allegation
contained in all paragraphs set forth above.
43. In the alternative and without waiving the foregoing, MWC, acting in the ordinary
course of business, furnished Defendants with cattle, as detailed above. Defendants received and
accepted the cattle and the corresponding money, unjustly enriching Defendants at the expense
of MWC. Defendants knew, or should have known, that the cattle were provided in anticipation
of compensation, and were not furnished gratuitously. After all offsets, payments and credits,
the reasonable unpaid value of the cattle is at least $5,020,230.11. Despite demand, Defendants
wrongfully refused to pay the reasonable value of the cattle for which sum MWC sues.
44. MWC has been damaged in an amount in excess of the jurisdictional limits of the
Court and is entitled to recover.
COUNT NINE: CONSPIRACY
45. MWC hereby repeats and incorporates by reference each and every allegation
contained in all paragraphs set forth above.
46. Defendants acted pursuant to a common scheme designed to unlawfully possess
MWC' s cattle and/or to steal MWC' s money.
47. Defendants committed overt acts in perpetuation of this common scheme by,
among other things, making false representations to MWC and writing a bad check to MWC.
48. Defendants are jointly and severally liable for the tortious conduct alleged in
Counts 1 through 5, infra.
PLAINTIFF'S ORIGINAL PETITION PAGE 10
R011
49. MWC has been injured as a proximate result of the conspiracy between
Defendants in an amount to be more fully demonstrated at trial. In addition, because the harm
caused by Defendants results from fraud, malice, and/or gross negligence, MWC is entitled to
recovery of exemplary damages.
COUNT TEN: AIDING AND ABETTING
50. MWC hereby repeats and incorporates by reference each and every allegation
contained in all paragraphs set forth above.
51. Tony Lyon owed a fiduciary duty to MWC. Defendants Monna and Owen Lyon
acted with knowledge that Tony Lyon's conduct alleged infra, was a breach of his fiduciary duty
duty, and Defendants Monna and Owen Lyon provided substantial assistance and encouragement
to Tony Lyon in carrying out these tortious acts. Defendants Monna and Owen Lyon Bl 7 is
therefore liable for aiding and abetting the tortious acts alleged in Counts 1 through 5, infra.
52. MWC has been injured as a proximate result of Defendants Monna and Owen
Lyon actions in an amount to be more fully demonstrated at trial. In addition, because the harm
caused by Defendants Monna and Owen Lyon result from fraud, malice, and/or gross negligence,
MWC is entitled to recovery of exemplary damages.
COUNT ELEVEN: ATTORNEY'S FEES
53. Each of the foregoing paragraphs are incorporated and reasserted herein by
reference.
54. MWC previously presented Defendants with a written demand for its claims.
Despite that demand, Defendants failed and refused to pay the balance due. As a result, MWC
was required to retain the law firm of Bell, Nunnally & Martin LLP to enforce MWC' s rights
and has agreed to pay the firm a reasonable fee for its services. MWC has incurred, and will
PLAINTIFF'S ORIGINAL PETITION PAGE 11
R012
continue to incur, reasonable attorney's fees, which it seeks to recover as damages from
Defendants pursuant to Section 38.001 of the Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code and
Texas law.
VI.
PRAYER
WHEREFORE, PREMISES CONSIDERED, MWC requests that Defendants be cited
to appear and answer this Petition and that upon final hearing that MWC have judgment against
Defendants, jointly and severally, as follows:
a. all actual damages;
b. all special damages as permitted by law;
c. exemplary damages as permitted by law;
d. disgorgement of all profits obtained by Defendants as permitted by law;
e. pre-judgment interest at the highest rate permitted by Texas law;
f. post-judgment interest at the highest rate permitted by Texas law;
g. reasonable and necessary attorneys' fees for pre-trial, trial, any and all appeals,
and petitions for review;
h. all costs of suit; and
i. all other relief to which MWC may be entitled in law or equity.
PLAINTIFF'S ORIGINAL PETITION PAGE 12
R013
Respectfully submitted,
BELL, NUNNALLY & MARTIN LLP
By:_~=------~~_,,_______
__
Christopher B. Trowbridge
ctrowbridge@bellnunnally.com
Texas Bar No. 24008182
R. Heath Cheek
Texas Bar No. 24053141
hcheek@bellnunnally.com
Gregory D. Kelminson
State Bar No. 24070045
gkelminson@bellnunnally.com
3232 McKinney Avenue, Suite 1400
Dallas, Texas 75204-2429
Telephone: (214) 740-1400
Telecopy: (214) 740-1499
ATTORNEYS FOR PLAINTIFF
MIDWESTERN CATTLE MARKETING, LLC.
2220269_ l .doc
PLAINTIFF'S ORIGINAL PETITION PAGE 13
R014
Appendix C
CAUSE NO. 15-07-061
MIDWESTERN CATTLE § IN THE DISTRICT COURT
MARKETING, LLC §
§
Plaintiff §
§
vs. §
§
TONYE. LYONdjb/aLYONFARMS, §
OWENLYONandMONNALYON §
§ JACK COUNTY, TEXAS
Defendant §
§
and §
§
NORTHWEST CATTLE FEEDERS, §
L.L.C. and RILEY LIVESTOCK, INC. §
§
Intervenors § 271ST JUDICIAL DISTRICT
FIRST AMENDED PETITION IN INTERVENTION
TO THE HONORABLE JUDGE OF THE COURT:
Northwest Cattle Feeders, LLC and Riley Livestock, Inc. (hereinafter collectively
"Intervenors") file this First Amended Petition in Intervention, and in support of same
would respectfully show as follows:
1.0 Discovery Level
1.1 Pursuant to TRCP 190.1, Intervenors respectfully requests that discovery
in this case be conducted under Level 3 by further order of this Court, as set forth in
2.0 Grounds for Intervention
2 .1 Midwestern Cattle Marketing, LLC (hereinafter Midwestern Cattle) filed
the present lawsuit against Defendants Tony E. Lyon d/ b/a Lyon Farms, Owen Lyon
and Monna Lyon for what it calls a "deplorable scheme" by its agent to defraud others.
FlRST AMENDED PETITION IN INTERVENTION- PAGE 1
R040
Intervenors are victims of that scheme committed by Midwestern Cattle's agent. In
addition, Midwestern Cattle retained the benefits of the fraudulent scheme committed
by its agent. As such, Midwestern Cattle is liable and responsible for the harm caused by
its agents in defrauding Intervenors.
2.2 This litigation arises out of a scheme perpetuated by Tony E. Lyon to
defraud purchases of cattle. Intervenors were purchasers victimized by this fraudulent
scheme. Lyon committed this scheme while acting as an agent for Midwestern Cattle.
Midwestern Cattle also alleges that Owen Lyon and Monna Lyon were also participants
in the scheme involving the alleged purchase and sell of cattle.
2 .3 On or about July 6, 2015, Midwestern Cattle filed this suit against Tony E.
Lyon d/b/a Lyon Farms, Owen Lyon and Monna Lyon (hereafter sometimes collectively
referred to as "Defendants") seeking damages arising from Lyon's conduct as
Midwestern Cattle's agent.
2-4 As set forth below, Intervenors are entitled to recover legal and equitable
relief against Midwestern Cattle and Defendants. As such, Intervenors have a justiciable
interest in this suit, and are proper parties to the present suit. Intervention will not
unnecessarily or unreasonably complicate the case by an excessive multiplication of
issues, and is essential to protect Intervenors' interest.
2.5 Intervenors claims will be affected by resolution of the present case.
Among other things, the resolution of Intervenors claims will be affected by resolution
of the pending case because the same scheme by the same parties that victimized
Intervenors is alleged by Plaintiff. Moreover, there is a joint interest in the cattle
Plaintiff seized from Defendants, or proceeds from sale of that cattle.
FIRST AM ENDED PETITION IN INTERVENTION - PAGE 2
R041
2.6 Intervenors, in their own right, are entitled to assert the causes of action
set forth herein. Intervenors, in their own right, were entitled to assert this action in
their own name against Plaintiff and Defendants, and any cross-claims or counterclaims
between Plaintiff and Defendants would be properly before the Court in that suit.
2.7 Intervention will not unduly complicate or confuse any of the issues in this
case. To the contrary, there is substantial overlap between the issues raised by Plaintiff's
claims and the issues raised by Intervenors' claims, and such claims are interwoven and
arise from the same operative set of facts - namely the same cattle fraud scheme.
2.8 Adjudication and disposition of this case v.rithout intervention could
reasonably impair or impede Intervenors' ability to protect their interest in recovering
damages incurred as a result of the cattle fraud scheme, and in recovering whatever
interest Intervenors held in the cattle Plaintiff seized from Defendants before filing suit.
3 .0 Venue
3.1 Venue is proper in Jack County for the claims asserted by Northwest Cattle
Feeders pursuant to Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code §i5.002(a)(2) because one or
more parties are residents of Jack County, Texas. Additionally, venue is proper under
Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code §i5.002(a)(1) because a substantial part of the
acts and omissions giving rise to lntervenors' claims occurred in Jack County, Texas.
Venue is also proper in Jack County, Texas under Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code
§15.062.
3.2 Venue is proper in Wise County for the claims asserted by Riley Livestock,
Inc. pursuant to Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code §t5.002(a)(2) because Lyon
Defendants are residents of Jack County, Texas. Additionally, venue is proper under
Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code §i5.002(a)(1) because a substantial part of the
FIRST AMENDED P ETITION IN INTERVENTION - PAGE 3
R042
acts and omissions giving rise to Intervenors' claims occurred in Jack County, Texas.
Venue is also proper in Jack County, Texas under Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code
§15.062.
4.0 Factual Background
4.1 Midwestern Cattle admits that it acts as cattle brokers. Midwestern Cattle
buys cattle from a seller and then sells the cattle to a buyer. Intervenors operate a feed
lot and otherwise trade in cattle. Prior to 2015, Intervenors were introduced by Jason
O'Connell of Midwestern Cattle to Tony Lyon d/b/a Lyon Farms (hereinafter "Lyon").
Lyon was represented to Intervenors to be a cattle order buyer for Midwestern Cattle
operating in Texas. From that introduction, a business relationship developed between
Intervenors and Midwestern Cattle (through its agent Tony Lyon) for the purchase and
sale of cattle.
4.2 In March 2015, after multiple transactions that appeared to be successful,
Intervenors entered into an agreement with Midwestern Cattle through Lyon to
purchase 554 head of cattle. Before entering into this agreement, Jeff Cox (on behalf of
lntervenors) met with Lyon in Jack County to discuss the purchase. Lyon represented
that cattle in a pasture he showed Cox were the 554 head of cattle Intervenors were
purchasing. At all times relevant herein in his dealings with Cox (on behalf of
Intervenors), Lyon was acting as an agent and representative of Midwestern Cattle.
4.3 Midwestern Cattle admits that Tony Lyon was its agent. Midwestern Cattle
provided Tony Lyon with a Midwestern Cattle checkbook and signature stamp enabling
him to conduct the business of Midwestern Cattle. This permitted Lyon to buy and sell
cattle on a "float" basis. At no time did Midwestern Cattle investigate Lyon's background
to determine whether he was fit for such authority to act on behalf of Midwestern Cattle.
FIRST AMENDED PETITION IN INTERVENTION - PAGE 4
R043
4-4 After Intervenors agreed to purchase the cattle in question, Midwestern
Cattle sent an invoice to Intervenors dated March 31, 2015. The recipient of the invoice
was Northwest Cattle Feeders, LLC. The amount of the invoice was $798,35i.19. The
invoice was specifically for 554 head of cattle with the description "Steers sold from
Perrin, TX." This invoice relates to the specific cattle Cox discussed with Lyon in Jack
County.
4.5 Upon receipt of the invoice, Riley Livestock, Inc. \vrote a check dated
March 31, 2015 in the amount of $798,319.08. This check was made payable to
Midwestern Cattle. At the request of Midwestern Cattle, the check was delivered Points
West Community Bank for deposit into Midwestern Cattle's bank account. Midwestern
specifically attested that the "livestock referenced by this document or other
communications specific to the transaction and transferred are of US origin (born &
raised)."
4.6 After receiving and depositing the check, Intervenors never saw the cattle.
The cattle were to be delivered to Francis Farms for feeding and delivery for sale 60-90
days later. However, when it came time to se11the554 head of cattle, Midwestern Cattle
failed to deliver the 554 head of cattle to Intervenors.
4.7 Midwestern Cattle paid itself a commission of $5,335.10 for the sale of the
554 head of cattle. Midwestern Cattle received and retained this commission despite
failing to deliver the cattle.
4.8 To date, Midwestern Cattle and its agent (Tony Lyon) have failed to deliver
the 554 head of cattle to Intervenors. To date, Midwestern Cattle and its agent (Tony
Lyon) have failed to return the $798,319.08 that Intervenors paid.
FIRST AMENDED PETITION IN INTERVENTION - PAGE 5
R044
4 .9 In June 2015, shortly before time for the cattle to be sold, Midwestern
Cattle informed Jeff Cox that there was "a problem" with Lyon. At no time before this
conversation did Midwestern Cattle ever indicate any problems with Lyon or his
operations on behalf of Midwestern Cattle in Texas.
4.10 Jeff Cox travelled to Texas to speak with Tony Lyon. When he arrived, Cox
learned that other Midwestern Cattle representatives (Jason O'Connell and Tim Correll)
had been present on the Lyon property. Midwestern Cattle seized approximately 892
head of cattle from Lyon Farms, and represented to Cox that the seized cattle would be
used to try to "make whole" both Cox and Midwestern Cattle.
4.11 Later in 2015, 41 head of cattle were delivered to Intervenors' business
location in Nebraska. These head of cattle were represented to be from the seized cattle.
Intervenors liquidated the 41 head and had checks for the proceeds made out jointly to
Midwestern Cattle and Northwest Cattle Feeders.
4.12 Midwestern Cattle has not disclosed what happened with the remaining
seized cattle despite requests by Intervenors for this information, Upon information and
belief, Midwestern Cattle has liquidated some or all of the seized cattle and retained the
proceeds from those sales for its use to the exclusion of Intervenors.
5.0 Conditions Precedent
5.1 With respect to Intervenors' claims, all conditions precedent have been
performed or have occurred. TRCP 54.
6.o Constructive Trust and Accounting
6.1 Intervenors are entitled to a constructive trust over cattle or proceeds from
the sale of cattle seized by Plaintiff or on behalf of Plaintiff.
FIRST AMENDED PETITION IN INTERVENTION -PAGE 6
R045
6 .2 A constructive trust is appropriate because of the actual fraud or
constructive fraud committed by Plaintiff and Defendants.
6.3 Plaintiff would be unjustly enriched by retaining benefits from the cattle
seized or sold. Specifically, upon information and belief, Plaintiff took possession of 892
head of cattle to its exclusive possession, sold the cattle, and retained the proceeds from
such sale to the exclusion of Intervenors.
6.4 A constructive trust over any and all cattle, proceeds from the sale of
seized cattle, or other funds recovered by Plaintiff from others as a result of the wrongful
conduct of its agent is appropriate and necessary to prevent unjust enrichment by
Plaintiff.
6.5 Intervenors also seek an accounting for the seized cattle or any proceeds
from the sale of the seized cattle.
7.0 Cause of Action for Breach of Contract
7.1 Intervenors incorporate the allegations contained in Section 4 above as if
fully set forth herein.
7.2 The agreement between Midwestern Cattle and Intervenors to purchase
554 head of cattle was a contract. The contract is evidenced in writing by the invoice
dated March 31, 2015.
7.3 Intervenors performed by tendering payment of the amount set forth in
the invoice.
7-4 Midwestern Cattle failed to perform by (a) failing to deliver the 554 head
of cattle. At time of sale, the 554 head of cattle were not available for Intervenors to sell;
or (b) failing to return the funds paid by Intervenors when it became clear to
Midwestern Cattle that the 554 head were not delivered to Intervenors to be resold.
FIRST AMENDED PETITION IN INTERVENTION- PAGE 7
R046
7.5 Midwestern Cattle breached its contractual obligation by failing to provide
the 554 head of cattle after Intervenors made payment; and by failing to return the
funds paid by Intervenors when it became clear the 554 head of cattle were not delivered
to Intervenors to be resold.
7.6 This is a breach of contract and has resulted in damages to Intervenors
more fully set forth below.
8.o Cause of Action for Fraud (Misrepresentation)
8.1 Intervenors incorporate the allegations contained in Section 4 above as if
fully set forth herein. Based on the foregoing allegations, Intervenors assert claims for
fraud by misrepresentation against Tony Lyon. This claim includes a claim of fraud in
the inducement that induced Intervenors to enter into the agreement to purchase the
554 head of cattle.
8.2 Tony E. Lyon d/b/a Lyon Farms ("Lyon"), as Midwestern Cattle's agent,
made representations that were false and material that he knew were false or made
recklessly without knowledge of its truth. The false representations include a
representation that Intervenors would receive the cattle shown to Jeff Cox in March
2015 and invoiced by Midwestern Cattle on March 31, 2015, and that the 554 head of
cattle identified in the March 31, 2015 invoice would be delivered and available to be
resold by Intervenors after the feeding and grazing period.
8.3 Lyon, as Midwestern Cattle's agent, made these representations with the
intent that Intervenors act upon them by sending the check for $798,319.08 for the
purchase of the 554 head of cattle to Midwestern Cattle. Intervenors relied upon those
false representations by writing the check and sending it to Midwestern Cattle
Marketing, LLC for the 554 head of cattle.
FIRST AMENDED PETITION IN INTERVENTION - PAGE 8
R047
BA These representations caused injury to Intervenors and were a proximate
cause of damages to Intervenors more fully set forth below.
8.5 Midwestern Cattle is liable for the fraud by misrepresentation and
fraudulent inducement committed by Lyon because at all times relevant Lyon was acting
as Midwestern Cattle's agent or otherwise aided and abetted such conduct as set forth in
Section 14 below. To the extent necessary, Intervenors invoke the doctrine set forth in
Restatement (Second) of Torts §876. Midwestern Cattle is also liable for the fraud by
misrepresentation and fraudulent inducement committed by Lyon under the doctrine of
ratification as set forth in Section 16 below.
8.6 Owen Lyon and Monna Lyon knowingly aided and abetted Lyon's fraud
(including fraudulent inducement). As such, Owen Lyon and Monna Lyon are jointly
and severally liable to Intervenors for the harm resulting from this fraud. To the extent
necessary, Intervenors invoke the doctrine set forth in Restatement (Second) of Torts
§876.
8.7 Intervenors are entitled to recover damages more fully set forth below.
9.0 Cause of Action for Fraud (Non-Disclosure)
9.1 Intervenors assert claims against Midwestern Cattle and Tony E. Lyon
d/ b/a Lyon Farm ("Lyon") for fraud by non-disclosure. This claim includes a claim of
fraud in the inducement that induced Intervenors to enter into the agreement to
purchase the 554 head of cattle.
9.2 Midwestern Cattle and Lyon concealed from and failed to disclose certain
material facts to Intervenors that Midwestern Cattle and Lyon had a duty to disclose.
The information concealed includes the fact that Lyon was given access to the
Midwestern Cattle checkbook to write checks on behalf of Midwestern Cattle to himself
FIRST AMENDED PETITION IN INTERVENTION-PAGE 9
R048
or his business interest or his family without any supervision or review by others at
Midwestern Cattle; and the fact that Midwestern Cattle and Defendants were operating
the cattle sales on a "float" that did not involve sales of existing cattle or actual sellers as
represented. In addition, Midwestern Cattle and Lyon never disclosed prior criminal
convictions of Tony Lyon related to his cattle business operations.
9.3 Midwestern Cattle and Lyon knew Intervenors did not know these facts
and did not have an equal opportunity to discover those facts.
9-4 Midwestern Cattle and Lyon remained deliberately silent when they had a
duty to speak. By remaining silent, Midwestern Cattle and Lyon intended to induce
Intervenors to pay for the 554 head of cattle they never received. For example,
Midwestern Cattle had a duty to disclose this information in response to inquiry by Jeff
Cox in December 2014 concerning the business practices of Tony Lyon. Instead,
Midwestern Cattle representatives stated that there was nothing improper about the
business practices of Tony Lyon.
9.5 Intervenors relied on the non-disclosure of these facts by Midwestern
Cattle and Lyon and sustained injury as a result of this non-disclosure.
9.6 Midwestern Cattle is liable for the fraud by non-disclosure and fraudulent
inducement committed by Lyon because at all times relevant Lyon was acting as
Midwestern Cattle's agent or otherwise aided and abetted such conduct as set forth in
Section 14 below. To the extent necessary, Intervenors invoke the doctrine set forth in
Restatement (Second) of Torts §876. Midwestern Cattle is also liable for the fraud by
non-disclosure and fraudulent inducement committed by Lyon under the doctrine of
ratification as set forth in Section 16 below.
FIRST AMENDED PETITION IN INTERVENTION- PAGE 10
R049
9.7 Owen Lyon and Monna Lyon knowingly aided and abetted Lyon's fraud
(including fraudulent inducement). As such, Owen Lyon and Monna Lyon are jointly
and severally liable to Intervenors for the harm resulting from this fraud. To the extent
necessary, Intervenors invoke the doctrine set forth in Restatement (Second) of Torts
§876.
9.8 Intervenors are entitled to recover damages more fully set forth below,.
10.0 Cause of Action for Money Had and Received
10.1 Intervenors assert claims against Midwestern Cattle and Defendants for
money had and received.
10.2 As set forth above, Intervenors paid $798,35i.19, which included a
$5,335.10 commission for 554 head of cattle. These funds were received and deposited
by Midwestern Cattle. The 554 head of cattle was never delivered for resale.
10.3 As a result, Midwestern Cattle and Defendants hold funds that in equity
and good conscience belong to Intervenors, and Intervenors are entitled to recover from
Midwestern Cattle and Defendants for money had and received.
10-4 Intervenors are entitled to damages in the amount of funds had and
received by Midwestern Cattle and Defendants that in equity and good conscience
belong to lntervenors.
11.0 Conversion
11.1 Upon information and belief, the 554 head of cattle (if they ever existed)
were in the possession of the Lyon Defendants. At some point, upon information and
belief, Plaintiff seized approximately 892 head of cattle from the Lyon Defendants.
FIRST AMENDED PETITION IN INTERVENTION - PAGE 11
R050
11.2 The 554 head of cattle (if they ever existed) are the rightful property of
Intervenors by virtue of Intervenors' payment of the invoice received from Midwestern
Cattle on March 31, 2015. The 554 head of cattle were personal property.
11.3 To the extent some or all of the 554 head of cattle Intervenors paid for
were among the 892 head of cattle seized by Plaintiff from the Lyon Defendants,
Intervenors assert an action for conversion against Plaintiff. By seizing the cattle from
the Lyon Defendants and/or selling the cattle after seizure, Plaintiff wrongfully
exercised dominion or control over the cattle.
11.4 To the extent some or none of the 554 head of cattle Intervenors paid for
were not among the 892 head of cattle seized by Plaintiff from the Lyon Defendants,
Intervenors assert an action for conversion against Tony Lyon d/b/a Lyon Farms. Tony
Lyon d/b/a Lyon Farms wrongfully exercised dominion or control over the cattle by
retaining the cattle and/ or selling the cattle prior to seizure by Plaintiff.
11.5 Plaintiff is liable for any acts of conversion by Tony Lyon d/b/a Lyon
Farms for the reasons set forth in Section 15 below.
11.6 Owen Lyon and Monna Lyon are liable for any acts of conversion by Tony
Lyon d/b/a Lyon Farms for aiding and abetting such conduct.
11. 7 Intervenors suffered injury from the conversion of the 554 head of cattle.
Intervenors are entitled to damages in the form of a return of the cattle, the proceeds
received from the sale of such cattle, or damages as more fully set forth below.
12.0 Damages
12.1 As a result of the acts and omissions set forth above, Intervenors have
sustained actual damages. These damages include direct damages and consequential
damages resulting from wrongful conduct by Midwestern Cattle and Defendants
FIRST AMENDED PETITION IN INTERVENTION - PAGE 12
R051
12.2 The acts and omissions more fully described above by Intervenors,
singularly or in combination thereof, have been a direct, proximate and/or producing
cause of damages to Intervenors in an amount that exceeds the jurisdictional limits of
this Court. The damages sustained by Intervenors are general and specific, as well as
direct and consequential. Intervenors' damages include, but are not limited to, out-of-
pocket losses, benefit of the bargain losses, loss of use damages, lost opportunity
damages, lost profits, and all other losses reasonably flowing fro~ the conduct of
lntervenors.
12.3 lntervenors are entitled to recover reasonable and necessary attorney fees
pursuant to Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code §38.ooi.
12-4 lntervenors are entitled to pre-judgment and post-judgment interest at the
highest rate allowed by law. Intervenors are also entitled to recover all costs of court.
12.5 Intervenors are also entitled to equitable relief in the form of a
constructive trust and/or an accounting pertaining to the cattle seized by Midwestern
Cattle from Defendants.
13.0 Exemplary Damages
13.1 The acts and omissions of Tony Lyon more fully set forth above evidence a
specific intent to enrich himself by causing substantial harm to Intervenors. As such, the
imposition of exemplary damages in a sufficient amount to be determined by the jury
against Tony Lyon is warranted to make an example of Tony Lyon and to deter others
from engaging in similar conduct.
13.2 Midwestern Cattle is liable for exemplary damages based on the wrongful
conduct of its agent (Tony Lyon). Tony Lyon had a prior history of fraudulent conduct
with respect to cattle sales. Tony Lyon was unfit to serve as the agent for Midwestern
FIRST AMENDED PETITION IN INTERVENTION - PAGE 13
R052
Cattle in the role and with the responsibilities Midwestern Cattle bestowed upon him.
Midwestern Cattle was reckless in employing Tony Lyon in that capacity. Additionally
and alternatively, Midwestern Cattle ratified or approved the acts of Tony Lyon with
respect to the specific sale made to Intervenors. Among other things, Midwestern Cattle
retained the commission charged with respect to that sale.
13.3 Midwestern Cattle is also liable for exemplary damages for the wrongful
conduct of Tony Lyon under Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code §41.005(c).
13-4 The statutory cap on exemplary damages does not apply in this case
pursuant to Texas Civil Practice & Remedies Code §41.008(c)(9); §41.008(c)(11), or
§41.008(c)(13).
14.0 Midwestern Cattle is liable for the wrongful conduct of Tony Lyon
14.1 Midwestern Cattle is liable for the wrongful conduct of Tony Lyon d/b/a
Lyon Farms ("Lyon") under the doctrine of agency or apparent authority. Midwestern
Cattle admitted and recognized that Lyon was their agent. Midwestern Cattle provided
Tony Lyon with actual or apparent authority to act as its agent by providing Lyon with a
Midwestern Cattle checkbook and signature stamp to conduct Midwestern Cattle
business. Midwestern Cattle affirmatively represented Lyon to be its representative to
Intervenors. He was Midwestern Cattle's order buyer and part of their group in Texas.
Midwestern Cattle clothed Lyon with authority and ability to buy and sell cattle on
Midwestern Cattle's behalf with no oversight.
14.2 Alternatively, Midwestern Cattle is liable for the wrongful conduct of Lyon
under the doctrine of apparent authority because it took affirmative steps to clothe Lyon
with authority to act on its behalf, and Intervenors relied on those acts in dealing with
Lyon as an agent of Midwestern Cattle.
FIRST AMENDED PETITION IN INTERVENTION- PAGE 14
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14.3 Midwestern Cattle is jointly and severally liable for the damages caused by
Lyon's fraud by misrepresentation (including fraudulent inducement) for aiding and
abetting such conduct set forth in Section 8 above.
14-4 Midwestern Cattle is jointly and severally liable for the damages caused by
Lyon's fraud by non-disclosure (including fraudulent inducement) for aiding and
abetting such conduct set forth in Section 9 above.
15.0 Civil Conspiracy
15.1 Intervenors assert that Tony Lyon d/ b/a Lyon Farms; Owen Lyon; and
Monna Lyon engaged in a civil conspiracy to defraud Intervenors.
15.2 The members of the conspiracy included Tony Lyon d/ b/a Lyon Farms;
Owen Lyon; and Monna Lyon.
15.3 The object of the conspiracy was to induce Intervenors to pay for cattle
that they would never receive.
15-4 The members of the conspiracy had a meeting of the minds on the object
or course of action, and one or more members committed an unlawful overt act to
further the object or course of action as more fully set forth above.
15.5 Intervenors suffered injury and sustained damages based upon this
conduct.
16.0 Ratification
16.1 Midwestern Cattle is also liable for the acts and omissions of Tony Lyon
d/b/a Lyon Farms ("Lyon") under the doctrine of Ratification.
16.2 As set forth above, Lyon was an agent for Midwestern Cattle. Intervenors
entered into a transaction with this agent. Midwestern Cattle approved by word, act or
conduct after acquiring full knowledge of the act that gave validity to their acts including
FIRST AM ENDED PETITION IN [NTERV ENTION - PAGE 15
R054
but not limited to allowing Lyon to solicit funds for the 554 head of cattle and taking a
commission for cattle that were never provided to Intervenors.
16.3 Even after admitting full knowledge of the fraudulent conduct committed
by Tony Lyon, Midwestern Cattle retained the benefits of the transaction involving the
554 head of cattle and, as such, ratified the transaction.
17.0 Demand for Jury
17.1 Intervenors demand their right to a jury trial afforded by the Texas
Constitution and the United States Constitution. Intervenors have previously tendered
the requisite fee to the district clerk.
WHEREFORE, Intervenors requests that Midwestern Cattle and Lyon
Defendants be cited to appear and answer, and that on final trial Intervenors have:
(a) Judgment against Midwestern Cattle Marketing, LLC, Tony E. Lyon d/b/a
Lyon Farms, Owen Lyon and Monna Lyon for actual and compensatory
damages in an amount in excess of the minimum jurisdictional limits of
the Court more fully set forth above;
(b) Judgment against Midwestern Cattle Marketing, LLC, Tony E. Lyon d/b/a
Lyon Farms, Owen Lyon and Monna Lyon for exemplary damages as set
forth above;
(c) A constructive trust over cattle Plaintiff seized from Lyon Farms in 2015 or
proceeds from the sale of cattle seized from Lyon Farms by Plaintiff;
(d) An accounting for the cattle Plaintiff seized from Lyon Farms in 2015 or
proceeds from the sale of cattle seized from Lyon Farms by Plaintiff;
(e) Reasonable and necessary attorney fees as set forth above;
(f) Pre-judgment interest and post-judgment interest at the highest rates
allowed by law; and
(g) Costs of suit; and
(h) Such other and further relief to which Intervenors may be justly entitled.
FIRST AMENDED PETITION IN INTERVENTION-PAGE 16
R055
Respectfully submitted,
SIMPSON, BOYD, POWERS & WILLIAMSON
Derrick S. Boyd
State Bar No. 00790350
Michael A. Simpson
State Bar No. 18403650
Kristy P. Campbell
State Bar No. 24041684
P.O. Box957
105 N. State Street, Suite B
Decatur, Texas 76234
Telephone No. (940) 627-8308
Facsimile No. (940) 627-8092
ATTORNEYS FOR IN
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
By my signature above, I hereby certify that a true and correct copy of Intervenor's First
Amended Petition in Intervention was delivered via fax and/ or certified mail return
receipt requested to all counsel of record on this 26th day of February, 2016.
FIRST AM ENDED PETITION IN INTERVENTION - PAGE 17
R056
Appendix D
TEXAS RULES OF CIVIL PROCEDURE
Rule 60. Intervenor's Pleadings
Any party may intervene by filing a pleading, sub-
ject to being stricken out by the court for sufficient
cause on the motion of any party.
Oct. 29, 1940, eff. Sept. 1, 1941. Amended by order of April 24, 1990,
eff. Sept. 1, 1990.
R106
Appendix E
TEXAS RULES OF EVIDENCE
Rule 404. Character Evidence; Crimes or admitted, the accusin~ pl;lrty may offer evidence
Other Acts to rebut it.
(3) Exceptions for a Victim.
(a) Character Evidence. (A) In a criminal case, subject to the limita-
(1) Prohibited Uses. Evidence of a person's tions in Rule 412, a defendant may offer evidence
character or character trait is not admissible to of a victim's pertinent trait, and if the evidence is
prove that on a particular occasion the person acted admitted, the prosecutor may offer evidence to
in accordance with the character or trait. rebut it.
(2) JSxceptions for an Accused. (B) In a homicide case, the prosecutor may
(A) In a criminal case, a defendant may offer offer evidence of the victim's trait of peacefulness
evidence of the defendant's pertinent trait, and if to rebut evidence that the victim was the first
the evidence is admitted, the prosecutor may aggressor.
offer evidence to rebut it. (C) In a civil case, a party accused of assaul-
(B) In a civil case, a party accused of conduct tive conduct may offer evidence of the victim's
involving moral turpitude may offer evidence of trait of violence to prove self-defense, and if the
the party's pertinent trait, and if the evidence is evidence is admitted, the accusing party may
offer evidence of the victim's trait of peacefulness.
(4) Exceptions for a Witness. Evidence of a
witness's character may be admitted under Rules
607, 608, and 609.
(5) Definition of ''Victim." In this rule, "victim"
includes an alleged victim.
(b) Crimes, Wrongs, or Other Acts.
(1) Prohibited Uses. Evidence of a crime,
wrong, or other act is not admissible to prove a
person's character in order to show that on a partic-
ular occasion the person acted in accordance with
the character.
(2) Permitted Uses; Notice in Criminal Case.
This evidence may be admissible for another pur-
pose, such as proving motive, opportunity, intent,
preparation, plan, knowledge, identity, absence of
mistake, or lack of accident. On timely request by
a defendant in a criminal case, the prosecutor must
provide reasonable notice before trial that the pros-
ecution intends to introduce such evidence-other
than that arising in the same transaction-in its
case-in-chief.
Eff. March 1, 1998. Amended by orders of Supreme Court March 10,
2015 and Court of Criminal Appeals March 12, 2015, eff. April I, 2015.
R107