ACCEPTED
03-14-00202-CV
5032109
THIRD COURT OF APPEALS
AUSTIN, TEXAS
4/24/2015 5:37:02 PM
JEFFREY D. KYLE
No.03-14-00202-CV CLERK
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS November 13, 2015
THE THIRD DISTRICT OF TEXAS
AUSTIN TEXAS
NEMER MASSAAD, and all other OCCUPANTS
Appellant
V.
WELLS FARGO BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS TRUSTEE
FOR OPTION ONE MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST 2006-3,
ASSET BACKED CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2006-3
Appellee.
Appeal from the County Court at Law Number One
Travis County, Texas
Trial Court Case No. C-I-CV-14-000401
Hon. Joe Carroll, presiding
Oral Argument Requested
MOTION FOR REHEARING
ENBANC
Identity of the Parties
Appellant/Defendant
NEMER MASSAAD
Counsel for Appellant/Defendant
James Minerve
State Bar No. 24008692
115 Saddle Blanket Trail
Buda, Texas 78610·
(210) 336-5867
(888) 230-6397 (Fax)
(Appellate, Post-trial, and Appellate)
Appellee/Plaintiff
WELLS FARGO BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION AS TRUSTEE FOR OPTION
ONE MORTGAGE LOAN TRUST 2006-3,ASSET BACKED CERTIFICATES,
SERIES 2006-3
J
Counsel for Appellee/Plaintiff
Mackie WolfZientz & Mann, P.C.
Mark D. Cronenwett
1;) State Bar No. 00787303
Parkway Office Center, Ste 900
14160 North Dallas Parkway
Dallas, Texas 75254
(214) 635-2650
(888) 230-6397 (Fax)
(Appellate, Post-trial, and Appellate)
11
Table of Contents
Identity of Parties and Counsel 11
Table of Contents iii
Table of Authorities .iv
. Glossary of Terms 1
Statement of the Case " 1
Statement Regarding Oral Argument. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 3
Issues Presented .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 4
Statement of Facts 5
Summary of the Argument 6
Argument Issue 1 8
The Puentes and Crawford Holdings. . . . . .. . 8
Puentes v. Fannie Mae Case Summary 9
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. v. Crawford Case Summary 10
Legal Injury Rule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Continuing Tort Rule 19
Argument Issue 2 21
Whether the courts have defined the accrual of action in a limitation case 21
Hickey v. Huntington National Bank 21
Holy Cross Church of God in Christ v. Wolf 22
Prayer 24
Certificate of Service . 25
Certificate of Compliance . . . . . . . . . . . .. . 25
Certificate of Conference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . 26
Appendix 27
3
Table of Authorities
Cases Page
Amstadt v. U.S. Brass Corp ..
919 S.W.2d 644, 652 (Tex. 1996) . 13
Arauette v. Hancock
656 S.W.2d 627,629 (Tex. App. 'San Antonio 1983, writ re'd n.r.e.)..... ... 20
Brown v. Henderson, 941 S.W.2d 190 (App. 13 Dist.. 1996) 12
Cuellar V. Martinez, 625 S.W.2d 3,5 (Tex.Civ.App.-San Antonio 1981,
no writ) 14
Childs v. Haussecker.
974 S.W.2d 31 (Supp. 1998, rehearing overruled) 15
Doe v. Catholic Diocese of El Paso,
362 S.W.3d707, 716 (Tex. App. -EI Paso 2011, no pet.) .7
Fandev v. Lee.
880 S.W.2d 164,168 (Tex.App.-EI Paso 1994, writ denied) 14
Federal Home Loan Mqr/gqge Corp. v. Crawford, No. 14-13-0010-CV .
Tex.App-Houston [14 DISt.] (2014) 6,10
Houtex Ready Mix Concrete & Materials v. Eagle Const. & Environment
Services, LP, 226 S.W.3d 514 (App. 1 Dist. 2006). 12
Hickey v. Huntington National Bank, No. 01-12-00670-CV (Tex.App.-
Houston [18t Dist.] (2013))..................................................... 21
Holy Cross Church of God in Christ v. Wolf, 44 S.W.3d 562, 566 (Tex.2001 ).. 21
Johnson v. Highland Hills Drive Apartments. 552 S.W.2d 493. 495 Tex.Civ.App.-
Dallas 1977), writ refd n.r.c. per curiam, 568 S.W.2d 661;(Tex. 1978) .. 14
Johnson V. Fellowship Baptist Church, 7 S.W.2d 203,204
(Tex.App.-Corpus Christi 1981, no writ) '" 14
IV
Kennedy v. Highland Hills Apartments.
905 S.W.2d 325,326 Tex.App.-Dallas 1995, no writ .13
Krohn v. A/arcus Cable Assocs .. L.P ..
201 S.W.jd 876, 880 (Tex. App-Waco 2006, pet. denied) 20
Lopez v. Sulak, 76 S.W.3d 597, 605 (Tex.App.-Corpus Christi 2002,
no pet.) ....................•...................................................................... 14
Mitchell Energy Corp. v. Bartlett, 958 S.W.2d 430
(Tex. App.-Fort Worth 1997, rehearing overruled, review denied, rehearing
Of petition for review overruled)... ... ... ... .. . . .. .. . . .. . ... .. . .. ... ... .. . . .. 16
Morriss v. Enron Oil & Gas Co.., 948 S.W.2d 858 (App. 4 Dist. 1997) 16
Murray v. San Jacinto Agency, Inc., 800 S.W.2d 826, 828 (Tex. 1990) 7
Puentes v. Fannie Mae. 350 S.W.3d 732, 734-35 (Tex. App. - EI Paso
2011, Pet. dism'd '" 8,9
Pustejovsky v. Rapid Arnerican Corp., 35 S.W.3d 643 Supp. 2000) 15
Rice v. Pinney, 51 S.W.3d 705; 2001 Tex. App. LEXIS 1831 13
Rogers v. Ardella Veigel Inter Vivo Trust 162 S. W.3d 281 at 290) .... 20
Rogers v. Ricane Enterprises, Inc., (App. 7 Dist, 1996) 930 S.W.2d 157. 16
Robinson v. Weaver, 550 S.W.2d 18, 19 (Tex. 1977) 7
Sullivan v. Bickel & Brewer, 943 S.W.2d 477 (App. 5 Dist. 1995,
writ denied, rehearing of writ of error overruled) 16
Two Pesos. Inc. v. Gulf Ins. Co.. 901 S.W.2d 495.500 (Tex. App.-
Houston [14th Dist.] 1995, no writ) 19
Ward v. Malone. 115 S.W.3d 267.270 (Tex. Atm-Corpus Christi 2003.
pet. Denied) 14
v
Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure
Texas Rule of Appellate Procedure 39.1 3
Texas Rules of Civil Procedure
Texas Rule of Civil Procedure 510 (738-754. Repealed by Order of April 15-
2013, Eff. Aug. 31, 2013) 10
Texas Property Code
Texas Property Code Section 24.002-008 13
Texas Property Code Section 24.005(b) """''''''''''',.............................. 5, 6
Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code
Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code 31.005 (2013) 16
Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Ann. § 16.003(a) and (b)
(West Supp. 1998) 10
Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code 16.03 12,21,23
Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code §16.035 22
VI
Glossary of Terms
Citation in this Brief will be as noted below to the following volumes of the
record on file in this appeal, said volumes being incorporated herein by reference:
Clerk' Record CR
Reporter's Record Volume 1 RR1
Reporter's Record Volume 2 RR2
Reporter's Record Volume 3 RR3
Statement of the Case
This is a Forcible Detainer Case. October 18, 2011 the Appellee filed a
Forcible Detainer Action. November 7, 2011, the JP Court issued a judgment in
favor of Appellant, denying the possession to the Appellee. 1 Appellee re-filed its
lawsuit under Cause No. 051840 and the JP Court dismissed it as a duplicate case
on November 7, 2011.2 November 7, 2011, a party in interest, at the time, filed in
District Court a Quiet Title Action, Cause No. D-I-GN-Il::-003424.3 November
21,2011, the Appellee filed another FED Action in this Court, Cause No. 0522.12.
December 29,2011, this Court issued Judgment for the AppellantA November 6,
2013, the Appellee filed another FED action (FED Action 4) in the JP Court,
1 Exhibit C: FED Order 1, in favor of Defendant, dated November 7, 2011, Cause No. 051975.
2 Exhibit D: FED Order 2, in favor of Defendant, Duplicate Case Dismissal Order, dated
November 7, 2011, Cause No. 051840.
3 Exhibit E: Quiet Title Action, filed in the 345th District of Travis County, dated November 7,
2011, Cause No. D-IGN-II-003424.
4 Exhibit F: FED Order 3, in favor of Defendant, dated December 29,2011.
1
Cause No. J3CV13056327. The JP Court rendered judgment in favor of the
Appellee. The Appellant appealed to the County Court at Law No.1. The County
Court held a trial de novo and ruled in favor of the Appellee without issuing an
OpInIOn.
2
Statement Regarding Oral Argument
Pursuant to Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure 39.1, Nemer Massaad
requests oral argument and submits that it would materially aid the decisional
process in this case.
3
Issues Presented
Appellant respectfully submits the following motion for rehearing
brief which outlines the legal framework in which the Court should consider
the following:
1. Whether the Two-year limitation period of Texas Civil Practice and
Remedies Code §16.003 bars Appellee's Forcible Detainer suit for possession of
the property.
2. Whether the courts have determined the accrual of action in a
limitation case.
4
MOTION FOR REHEARING
STATEMENT OF FACTS
On or about September 6, 2011, the Appellee wrongfully conducted a
foreclosure sale of this property.5 RR2 at 6; RR3 at PI's Exh. 2. September 23,
2011, the Appellee provided the Appellant with the Notice prescribed in Texas
Property Code§ 24.005(b).6 RR2 at D's Exh. B. October 18, 2011 the Appellee
filed a Forcible Detainer Action, authorized under Texas Property Code§
24.005(b). RR2 at 18. November 7,2011, the JP Court issued a judgment in favor
of Appellant, denying the possession to the Appellee.7 RR2 at 20. Appellee re-
filed its lawsuit under Cause No. 051840 and the JP Court dismissed it as a
duplicate case on November 7, 2011.8 RR2 at 20; Appellant's Brief at 9.
November 7, 2011, a party in interest, at the time, filed in District Court a Quiet
Title Action, Cause No. D-I-G.N-Il-003424.9 RR2 at 37; Appellant's Brief at 9.
November 21, 2011, the Appellee filed yet another FED Action in this Court,
5 Exhibit A: Trustee Deed, dated September 6, 2011
6 Exhibit B: Notice to Vacate, dated September 23,2011
7 Exhibit C: FED Order 1, in favor of Defendant, dated November 7,2011, Cause No. 051975.
8 Exhibit D: FED Order 2, in favor of Defendant, Duplicate Case Dismissal Order, dated
November 7, 2011, Cause No. 051840.
9 Exhibit E: Quiet Title Action, filed in the 345th District of Travis County, dated November 7,
2011, Cause No. D-IGN-II-003424.
5
Cause No. 052212. RR2 at 20; Appellant's Brief at 9. December 29, 2011, this
Court again issued Judgment for the Appellant. 10 RR2 at 20,' Appellant's Brief at
9.
October 30,2013, the Appellee mailed the Appellant a superfluous Notice to
Vacate letter. CR 116-38, Bus. Records Aff. - Notices to Vacate' see also
Appellant's Brief at 9. Finally, over two years after September 26, 2011, when the
Appellee sent the Appellant the Notice required under Texas Property Code§
24.005(b), on November 6, 2013, the Appellee filed yet another FED action (FED
Action 4) in the JP Court, Cause No. J3CV13056327. The JP Court rendered
judgment in favor of the Appellee. The Appellant appealed to the County Court at
Law No.1. The County Court held a trial de novo and ruled in favor of the
Appellee without issuing an opinion.
SUMMARY OF THE ARGUMENT
The Court's holding on Appeal and Appellee's Appeal Brief are based on
the holdings of two cases. Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. v. Crawford,
Cause No. 14-13-0010-CV (Tex. App.-Houston [14th Dist.] Oct. 9, 2014]; and
Puentes v. Fannie Mae, 350 S.W.3d 732 (Tex. App.-El Paso 2011, pet.. dism'd).
These cases are inapplicable to this case before this court.
The applicable statute of limitations on a suit for forcible detainer is two
10 Exhibit F: FED Order 3, in favor of Defendant, dated December 29,2011.
6
years. See Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code Ann. § J6.003(a) (West Supp. 1998). For
a suit to be timely under a two-year statute of limitations, it must be brought within
two years from the date on which the cause of action accrues. Id. A cause of action
generally accrues at the time when facts come into existence authorizing a claimant
to seek a judicial remedy. Murray v. San Jacinto Agency, Inc., 800 S.W.2d 826,
828 (Tex.1990). In Texas, a Plaintiffs cause of action accrues, and the applicable
limitations period starts to run, "when a wrongful act causes some legal injury,
even if the fact of injury is not discovered until later, and even if all resulting
damages have not yet occurred." S. V. v. R. v., 933 S.W.2d 1, 4 (Tex. 1996). See
also Doe v. Catholic Diocese of El Paso, 362 S.W.3d 707, 716 (Tex.App-El Paso
2011, no pet.)(same).
For the purposes of application of statute of limitations, a cause of action
generally accrues at the time when facts come into existence which authorizes a
claimant to seek a judicial remedy. Robinson v. Weaver, 550 S.W.2d 18, 19
(Tex. 1977). Put another way, "a cause of action can generally be said to accrue
when the wrongful act effects an injury. In this case, the Appellee did not suffer an
injury until it sent the Three-day Notice to Vacate and the Appellant refused to
vacate. The Appellee sent the Three-day Notice September 23, 2011. Three days
later, September 26, 2011, and not sooner, the Appellee could file an FED Action.
The Appellee's injury occurred when the Appellant did not comply with the
7
Nemer Massaad v. Wells Fargo Bank National Association as Trustee for Option One Mortgage Loan Trust 2006-3, Asset Backed Certificates, Series 2006-3
Combined Opinion