Johnson v. Smith

OPINION

CANNON, Justice.

This appeal originates in a lawsuit brought on behalf of the estate of Reginald J.C. Hamilton to recover amounts due under a promissory note payable to him by appellant Eric Johnson. Appellant discontinued payments after Hamilton’s death, believing his liability to be extinguished by a “death clause” contained in the note. Appellee sued alleging various instances of fraud, and a lengthy jury trial followed. Based on the jury’s answers to special issues, the trial court entered judgment ordering appellant to fulfill the terms of the note and assessing actual and punitive…