The ruling by the federal appeals court increases the likelihood that plaintiff Judy Lyons will get a crack as suing the wealthy Oil Patch family for defamation and malicious prosecution.
The 5th Circuit Court of Appeal has dealt another blow to the Knight Oil Tools family's quest to dodge a potentially expensive civil lawsuit against them filed by a former designer. The ruling by the federal appeals court increases the likelihood that plaintiff Judy Lyons, who once worked for the Knight family as a designer and who was accused by the family of forging checks for tens of thousands of dollars - a charge she was arrested on, tried and acquitted in state district court - will get a crack as suing the wealthy Oil Patch family for defamation and malicious prosecution.
The case has had many twists and turns, but as it now stands a stay order on proceedings has been lifted, discovery is taking place between the defendant and plaintiffs and depositions are being scheduled.
For the back story on Judy Lyons V. Knight Oil Tools click here and here.