Goff v. Charter
Goff v. Charter
CC-20-01579-E
                                                  §§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§
 Representative of BETTY JO MCCLAIN
 THOMAS, deceased; CHRISTOPHER
 THOMAS, as Guardian of CHARLES
 THOMAS; CINDY RINGNESS;
 CHERYL GOFF; and CHARLOTTE
 GLOVER,
Plaintiffs
AT LAW NO. 5
FINAL JUDGMENT
This matter was tried before this Court in a bifurcated jury trial.
Phase 1 started on June 6, 2002, and resulted in a jury verdict on June 23, 2022. See Charge
of Court, attached as Exhibit A. The jury found: Roy James Holden, Jr. (Holden), committed an
assault against Betty Jo McClain Thomas (Mrs. Thomas); Charter Communications, LLC’s
responsibility for Mrs. Thomas’s death was 10% and Charter's comparative responsibility was
90%; Mrs. Thomas’s estate and her four adult children were entitled to recover actual damages;
Phase 2 started on July 25, 2022, and resulted in a jury verdict on July 26, 2022. See Charge
of Court, attached as Exhibit B. The jury found: Plaintiffs were entitled to receive exemplary _
damages against Charter for its gross negligence found in Phase 1; the exemplary damages should
                                                                                       00—20 —01579   -E
                                                                                       DFJ
                                                                                       FINAL JUDGMENT
                                                                                       2609537
be equally apportioned so that the estate   of Mrs. Thomas and her four children would each receive
20% Of the exemplary damages; and Charter knowingly unintentionally committed forgery with
After the jury verdict, and before the entry of this Judgment, Plaintiffs have voluntarily
The Court, after considering the evidence introduced at trial, the verdict of the jury, the
voluntary remittitur of the Plaintiffs, the written and oral arguments of counsel, and the applicable
law, is of the opinion that judgment should be entered in favor of the Plaintiffs.
against either Roy James Holden or Charter Communications, LLC, jointly and severally; and
Goff, as personal representative of Betty Jo McClain Thomas, deceased, shall recover against
calculated from March 23, 2020 to October 6, 2022, which is $11,428,767, and shall recover
against either Charter Communications, LLC or Roy James Holden, pre-judgment interest of 5%
simple interest on $10,000,000, calculated from March 23, 2020 to October 6, 2022, which is
$1,269,863.
Communications, LLC; $6,900,000 in actual damages against either Roy James Holden or Charter
Communications, LLC, jointly and severally; and $150,000,000 in exemplary damages against
Charter Communications,      LLC.   In addition, Charles Thomas shall recover against Charter
Communications,   LLC,   pre-judgment interest of 5% simple interest on $20,700,000, calculated
from March 23, 2020 to October 6, 2022, which is $2,628,616, and shall recover against either
Charter Communications,    LLC or Roy James Holden, pre-judgment interest of 5% simple interest
on $2,300,000, calculated from March 23, 2020 to October 6, 2022, which is $292,068.
Communications, LLC; $6,700,000 against either Roy James Holden or Charter Communications,
LLC, jointly and severally; and $150,000,000 in exemplary damages against Charter
from March 23, 2020 to October 6, 2022, which is $1,942,890, and shall recover against either
Charter Communications,    LLC or Roy James Holden, pie-judgment interest of 5% simple interest
on $1,700,000, calculated from March 23, 2020 to October 6, 2022, which is $215,877.
Communications, LLC; $6,700,000 against either Roy James Holden or Charter Communications,
LLC, jointly and severally; and $150,000,000 in exemplary damages against Charter
Communications, LLC. In addition, Cheryl Coff shall recover against Charter Communications,
LLC, pre-judgment interest of 5% simple interest on $15,300,000, calculated from March 23, 2020
to October 6, 2022, which is $1,942,890, and shall recover against either Charter Communications,
LLC or Roy James Holden, pre—judgment interest of 5% simple interest on $1,700,000, calculated
from March 23, 2020 to October 6, 2022, which is $215,877.
Communications, LLC; $7,200,000 against either Roy James Holden or Charter Communications,
LLC, jointly    and severally;   and $150,000,000 in exemplary damages against Charter
    Communications,    LLC.    In    addition,   Charlotte    Glover shall     recover       against   Charter
from March 23, 2020 to October 6, 2022, which is $1,942,890, and shall recover against either
    Charter Communications,   LLC or Roy James Holden, pre-judgment interest of 5% simple interest
    on $1,700,000, calculated from March 23, 2020 to October 6, 2022, which is $215,877.
Thomas, deceased, Charles Thomas, Cindy Ringness, Cheryl Goff, and Charlotte Glover are
entitled to post—judgment interest on the amounts awarded to them at the rate of 5% per annum on
    the total amount of the judgment from the date this Judgment is signed until paid.
I
This Judgment disposes of all claims and all parties, and any relief that is not expressly
\Signedon fl fl, 2022.
                                                             The   on   ab   1131]
                                                             Dal                     at   aw #5
EXHIBIT A
                                                                                        Electronically Served
                                                                                          6l24I2022 1:30 PM
Presiding Juror
                                                                         AT LAW-310%
                                                                                          i“?
        v.                                        §
                                                  §
        ROY JAMES HOLDEN, JR.; and                §
        CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS, LLC,              §
                          ,
                                                  §
               Defendants.                        §         DALLAS COUNTY, TEXAS
CHARGE OF COURT
            You must leave your notes with the bailiff when you are not deliberating.
       The bailiffwill give your notes to me promptly after collecting them from you.
       ACTIVE 648394552
    I will make sure your notes are kept in a safe, secure location and not disclosed
    to anyone. After you complete your deliberations, the bailiff will collect your
    notes; Wheii Sic-u are" 'released from jury duty, the bailiff W'illmbromptly destroy
    your notes so that nobody can read what you wrote.
    decision.
          2.    Base your answers only on the evidence admitted in court and on
    the law that is in these instructions and questions. Do not consider or discuss
    any evidence that was not admitted in the courtroom.
     v
          3.    You are to make up your own minds about the facts. You are the
    sole judges of the credibility of the witnesses and the weight to give their
    testimony. But on matters of law, you must follow all of my instructions.
          4.     If my instructions
                                use a word in a way that is different from its
    ordinary meaning, use the meaning I give you, which will be a proper legal
    definition.
          5.     All the questions and   answers   are important. No one should say
    that any question or answer is not important.
          6.     Answer “yes” or “no” to all questions unless you are told otherwise.
.   A “yes" answer must be based on a preponderance of the evidence unless you
    are told otherwise. Whenever a question requires an answer other than “yes”
    or “no,” your answer must be based on a preponderance of the evidence unless
    you are told otherwise.
any party’ s ultixnate recovery may or nlay not be. Any recovery will be
determined by the Court when it applies the law to the answers at the time of
judgment.
      9.    Do not decide who you think should win before you answer the
questions and then just answer the questions to match your decision. Answer
each question carefully without considering who will win. Do not discuss or
consider the efl'ect your answers will have.
      11.  Some questions might ask you for a dollar amount. Do not agree in
advance to decide on a dollar amount by adding up each juror’s amount and
then figuring the average.
      12.   Do not trade your answers. For example, do not say, “I will answer
this question your way if you answer another question my way.”
      As I have said before, if you do not follow these instructions, you will be
guilty of juror misconduct, and I might have to order a new trial and start this
process over again. This would waste your time and the parties’ money, and
would require the taxpayers of this county to pay for another trial. If a juror
breaks any of these rules, tell that person to stop and report it to me
immediately.
                                           .3.
                         SPECIAL INSTRUCTION
You are instructed that Charter failed to preserve video surveillance footage of
the parking lot where Holden accessed a company van before and after he
m”      H
                              ember122               um-       -'erthatt'
evidence would have been unfavorable to Charter on the following issues:
     a) whether—Gharter—rea—sona—bly monitored—and—supe—rv—isedHHoldenls
        access and use of the Spectrum van;
You are instructed that any inference you draw from the missing video
surveillance footage must be reasonable.
                             DEFINITIONS
1.   “Plaintiffs” means William Goff, as Personal Representative of Betty Jo
     McClain Thomas, deceased, Christopher Thomas, as Guardian of
         I'll   homa‘ Cind Rin          Che lGoff. and Charlotte Glover.
               a'   have the complete charge read aloud if it will be helpful to your
                    deliberations;
A person knowingly causes bodily injury to another if the person is aware that
the person’s conduct is reasonably certain to cause the bodily injury to another.
Answer: YE S
                                         .7-
                                          QUESTION 2
           Did the negligence, if any, of Charter proximately cause the death of Ms.
           Thomas?
           "Negligence" means taflure to use ordlnary care, that ls, tamng to do that
      which a person of ordinary prudence would have done under the same or
———similar c—i—reums-ta—nees-opdoingtha-t—which—a-person-of—ordinary prudence—would
      not have done under the same or similar circumstances. “Ordinary care” means
      that degree of care that would be used by a person of ordinary prudence under
      the same or similar circumstances.
           Answer: i   ES
If you answered “Yes" to both Question   1  and Question 2, then answer the
following question. Otherwise, do not answer the following question.
                              QUESTION 3
Assign percentages of responsibility only to those you found caused or
contributed to cause the death of Ms. Thomas.
The percentages you find must total 100 percent. The percentages must be
expressed in whole numbers. The percentage of responsibility attributable to
any one is not necessarily measured by the number of acts or omissions found.
For each party you found caused or contributed to cause the death of Ms.
Thomas, find the percentage of responsibility attributed to each:
1. Holden: lo %
2. Charter: qo %
  Total:          100    %
Answer the following question if you answered “Yes” to either Question   1   or
Question 2. Otherwise, do not answer the following question.
                             QUESTION 4
What sum of money, 1: any, it paid now in cash. would have fairly and
reasonably compensated Ms. Thomas for her pain and mental anguish?
“Pain and mental anguish”         means  the conscious physical pain and
emotional pain, torment, and suffering of Ms. Thomas before her death as a
result of the occurrence in question.
                                   -10-
 Answer the following question if you answered “Yes” to either Question     1   or
 Question 2. Otherwise, do not answer the following question.
                                  QUESTION 5
 What sum of money, 1f any, 1f paid now 1n cash, would falrly and reasonably
 compensate Charles Thomas for his damages, if any, resulting from the death
 of his mother, Ms. Thomas?
 Consider the elements of damages listed below and none other. Consider each
 element separately. Do not award any sum of money on any element if you
 have otherwise, under some other element, awarded a sum of money for the
 same loss. That is, do not compensate twice for the same loss, if any. Do not
 include interest on any amount of damages you find.
Answer separately, in dollars and cents, for damages, if any. Do not reduce the
amounts, if any, in your answers because of the negligence, if any, of Ms.
Thomas. Any recovery will be determined by the court when it applies the law
                                                         i
to your answers at the time of judgment.
If the damages you found resulted in part from any preexisting injury           or
condition that was causing symptoms at the time of the occurrence in question,
do not include any amount for any such preexisting injury or condition, except
to the extent the preexisting injury or condition was aggravated by the
occurrence in question.
“Pecuniary loss”    means the loss of the care, maintenance, support, services,
advice, cOunsel, and reasonable contributions of a pecuniary value, excluding
the loss of inheritance, that Charles Thomas, in reasonable probability, would
have received from Ms. Thomas had she lived.
                                       -11-
       3.   Loss of companionship and society sustained in the past.
              $
    Answer:         (,9.   000. 000. 00
       4.   Loss of companionship and society that, in reasonable probability,
            Charles Thomas Will sustain in the future.
    We? 193.000.000.00
    “Mental anguish” means the emotional pain, torment, and suffering
    experienced by Charles Thomas because of the death of Ms. Thomas.
       5.   Mental anguish sustained in the past.
    Mimi 0 00,000.00
    In determining damages for elements 3, 4,: 5, and 6, you may consider the
    relationship between Charles Thomas and Ms. Thomas, their living
    arrangements, any extended absences from one another, the harmony of their
    family relations, and their common interests and activities.
                                          .12-
Answer the following question if you answered “Yes” to either Question       1   or
Question 2. Otherwise, do not answer the following question.
                                  QUESTION 6
What sum of money, if any, if paid now in cash, Would fairly and reasonably
compensate Cindy Ringness for her damages, if any, resulting from the death
of her mother, Ms. Thomas?
Consider the elements of damages listed below and none other. Consider each
element separately. Do not award any sum of money on any element if you
have otherwise, under some other element, awarded a sum of money for the
same loss. That is, do not compensate twice for the same loss, if any.‘ Do not
include interest on any amount of damages you find.
Answer separately, in dollars and cents, for damages, if any. Do not reduce the
amounts, if any, in your answers because of the negligence, if any, of Ms.
Thomas. Any recovery will be determined by the court when it applies the law
to your answers at the time of judgment.
“Pecuniary loss”      means the loss of the care, maintenance, support, services,
advice, counsel, and reasonable contributions of a pecuniary value, excluding
the loss of inheritance, that Charles-Thomas, in reasonable probability, would
have received from Ms. Thomas had           lived.
                                         Shé
                                                'nd '1
                                                         WM”);
   1.
     Pe‘cuniary
                    loss sustained in the pasg:L
                                                                  @
Answer:   ,3,   090‘ mo. (X)
   2.   Pecuniary loss that, in reasonably probability, Cindy Ringness will
        sustain in the future.
Answer:
          $
              SI 000,006: m
                                         -13-
     4. Loss of companionship and society that,             in reasonable probability, Cindy
          Ringness will sustain in the future.
Answer},       if   i),       Q   00‘ Ow. OD
"Mental anguish” means the emotional pain, torment, and suffering
experienced by Cindy Ringness because of the death of Ms. Thomas.
Answer:§_1,_0_001000.I O 0
 I
arrangements, any extended absences from one another, the harmony of their
family relations, and their common interests and activities.
                                                      14-
 Answer the following question if you answered “Yes” to either Question      1   or
 Question 2. Otherwise, do not answer the following question.
                                QUESTION 7
 What sum of money, 1f any, if paid now in cash, would fairly and reasonably
 compensate Cheryl Goff for her damages, if any, resulting from the death of
—--he-1Lmother,—Ms.—Thomas?
Consider the elements of damages listed below and none other. Consider each
element separately. Do not award any sum of money on any element if you
have otherwise, under some other element, awarded a sum of money for the
same loss. That is, do not compensate twice for the same loss, if any. Do not
include interest on any amount of damages you find.
Answer separately, in dollars and cents, for damages, if any. Do not reduce the
amounts, if any, in your answers because of the negligence, if any, of Ms.
Thomas. Any recovery will be determined by the court when it applies the law
to your answers at the time of judgment.
“Pecuniary loss”     means the loss of the care, maintenance, support, services,
advice, counsel, and reasonable contributions of a pecuniary value, excluding
the loss of inheritance, that                   reasonable probability, would
have received from Ms. Thomas had she live .
                                                  0A“? a059,
                                                         4   y
Answer:                  000. OO
  4.    Loss of companionship and society that, in reasonable probability,
        Cheryl Goff will sustain in the future.
                                       .15.
           3;"
Answerq,         7‘0001000.OO
   6. Mental anguish that, in reasonable probability,   Cheryl Goff will sustain
     in the future.
          ‘3
Answer:        20   I   GOO;   000, 00
In determining damages for elements 3, 4, 5, and 6, you may consider the
                                              .
relationship between Cheryl Goff and Ms. Thomas, their living arrangements,
any extended absences from one another, the harmony of their family relations,
and their common interests and activities.
                                    16-
 Answer the following question if you answered “Yes” to either Question     1   or
 Question 2. Otherwise, do not answer the following question.
                                QUESTION 8
 What sum of money, if any, if paid now in cash, would. fairly and reasonably
 compensate Charlotte Glover for her damages, if any, resulting from the death
 of her mother, Ms. Thomas?
Consider the elements of damages listed below and none other. Consider each
element separately. Do not award any sum of money on any element if you
have otherwise, under some other element, awarded a sum of money for the
same loss. That is, do not compensate twice for the same loss, if any. Do not
include interest on any amount of damages you find.
Answer separately, in dollars and cents, for damages, if any. Do not reduce the
amounts, if any, in your answers because of the negligence, if any, of Ms.
Thomas. Any recovery will be determined by the court when it applies the law
to your answers at the time of judgment.
“Pecuniary loss”    means the loss of the care, maintenance, support, services,
advice, counsel, and reasonable contributions of a pecuniary value, excluding
                                                    Chm. [DH-o
   1.             loss sustained in the past.
     Peguniary
Answer:      5' 00 000. 00
              Q         ,
                                      -17-
   4. Loss of companionship and society that,          in reasonable probability,
        Charlotte Glover will sustain in the future.
           3
Answer:        [E51   000‘ 000 ~00
llMental ang‘uish’F means the emotional pain, torment, and sufi'ering
experienced by Charlotte Glover because of the death of Ms. Thomas.
                                     _
                                         -13-
     Answer the following question if you unanimously answered “Yes” to Question
     2. Otherwise, do not answer the following question.
                                       QUESTION 9
-
     Do you find by clear and convincing evidence that the death of Ms. Thomas
     resulted from gross negligence of Charter?
     “Clear and convincing evidence” means the measure         or degree of proof that
    produces a firm belief or conviction of the truth of the allegations sought to be
    established.
1. Holden was unfit and Charter acted with malice in retaining him, or
                                             .19.
“Ratification” is the adoption    or confirmation by a    party with knowledge of
all material facts of a prior act which did not then legally bind it and which it
had the right to repudiate. Ratification may occur by express act or word or it
may be inferred from a party’s course of conduct. An unauthorized signature,
Answer: \(E S
                                       -20-
            Instructions for Signing the Verdict Certificate:
       1.   [Unless otherwise instructed] You may answer the questions on a
vote of five jurors. The same five jurors must agree on every answer in the
charge. This means you ma not hav n                                 ree on one
answer and a different group of five jurors agree on another answer.
      2.    If five jurors agree      on every ansWer, those five jurors sign the
verdict.
      If all six of you agree   on every answer, you are unanimous and only the
                                                                '
presiding juror signs the verdict.
      3.    All jurors should deliberate on every question. You may end up with
all six of you agreeing on some answers, while only five of you agree on other
answers. But when you sign the verdict, o'nly those five who agree on every
answer will sign the verdict.
GE
                                       -21.
                                   Verdct Certificate
           one:
                                       _
                                                     4m! N       CAN
Sign-fiure                  Juror                 Printed Name of Presiding Juror
              ofWg
     Our verdict is not unanimous. Five of us have agreed to each and every
answer and have signed the certificate below.
1.
2.
      If you have answered any part of Questions         1   through 9, then you must
sign this certificate also.
                                           22
                                   Additional Certificate
          I certify that the jury was unanimous in answering the following
    questions. All six of us agreed to each of the answers. The presiding juror has
.
    Signed tbg cenlficatg for all 313 Qfns
                                                      éAv IN        CASH
    Sd/gygtufe of               Juror                Printed Name of Presiding Juror
P‘Casidjg
                                            -23-
EXHIBIT B
                                                               PIZSIJ “‘5 Juvm/
CHARGE OF COURT
      After the closing arguments, you will go to the jury room to decide the
case, answer the questions that are attached, and reach a verdict.
                                                                    You may
diSCuss the case with other jurors only when you are all together in the jury
room.
       You must leave your notes with the bailiff when you are not deliberating.
The bailiff will give your notes to me promptly after collecting them from you.
I will make sure your notes are kept in a safe, secure location and not disclosed
to anyone. After you complete your deliberations, the bailiff will collect your
notes. When you are released from jury duty, the bailiff 'will promptly destroy
your notes so that nobody can read what you wrote.
        3.  You are to make up your own minds about the facts. You are the
sole judges of the credibility of the witnesses and the weight to give their
testimony. But on matters of law, you must follow all of my instructions.
        4.
ordinary meaning, use the meaning I give you, which will be a proper legal
definition.
      5.    All the questions and   answers   are important. No one should say
that any question or answer is not important.
      8.    Do not decide who you think should win before you answer the
questions and then just answer the questions to match your decision. Answer
each question carefully without considering who will win. Do not discuss or
consider the effect your answers will have.
      11.  Some questions might ask you for a dollar amount. Do not agree in
advance to decide on a dollar amount by adding up each juror’s amount and
then figuring the average.
      12.   Do not trade your answers. For example, do not say. “I will answer
this question your way if you answer another question my way.”
      As I have said before, if you do not follow these instructions, you will be
guilty of juror misconduct, and I might have to order a new trial and start this
process over again. This would waste your time and the parties’ money, and
would require the taxpayers of this county to pay for another trial. If a juror
breaks any of these rules, tell that person to stop and report it to me
immediately.
                        SPECIAL INSTRUCTION
      You are instructed that you must not infer anything by Charter’s or its
                                                              not to answer
representatives’ refusal to answer questions and instructions
because of Charter’s claim of an attorney-client communication or attorney
work product privilege.
                         DEFINITIONS
“Plaintiffs” means William Goff, as Personal Representative of Betty Jo
McClain Thomas, deceased, Christopher Thomas, as Guardian of
Charles Thomas, Cindy Ringness, Cheryl Goff, and Charlotte Glover.
      Do you understand the duties of the presiding juror?    If you do not, please
tell me now.
                                QUESTION      1
       ($9194   BiLLtoN
            AND 2am)    CENTS
                               QUESTION    2
     2.   Charles Thomas:
                                                           7.   o   .
     5.   Charlotte Glover:                                 ZO
          Total:                                             100
      To answer “Yes” to the following question, your answer must be
unanimous. You may answer “No" to the following question only upon a vote
of five or more jurors. Otherwise, you must not answer the following question.
                                 QUESTION 3
      Do you find beyond a reasonable doubt that Charter, with the intent to
defraud or harm Plaintiffs, knowingly or intentionally committed forgery of the
terms and conditions of service, and the value of the property affected was
$300,000 or more?
Answer:    LR   gS
Instructions for Signing the Verdict Certificate:
      1.    To answer “Yes" to the any of Questions 1 through 3, your answer
must be unanimous. You may answer “No” to any of Questions 1 through 3
only upon a vote of five or more jurors. Otherwise, you must not answer
Questions 1 through 3.
                                    10
Verdict Certificate:
      I certify  that the jury was unanimous in answering the following
questions. All six of us agreed to each of the answers marked “yes” below. The
presiding juror has signed the certificate for'all six of us.
Question 1
Question 2      VES
Question 3      QES
 Wfl/
sflpltp/e
           of
                Pfisdfsm
                                              GAVIN       CASH
                                           Printed Name of Presiding Juror
                                      11
                        Automated Certificate of eService
 This automated certificate of service was created by the efiling system. The filer sewed this
 document via email generated by the efiling system on the date and to the persons listed below.
 The rules governing certificates of service have not changed. Filers must still provide a certificate
 of service that complies with all applicable rules.