Edwards Industries, Inc. v. DTE/BTE, Inc.

OPINION

Appellants Edwards Heat Treating Services (“EHT”), Edwards Industries (“El”) and Mark Edwards 1 sued respondent DTE/BTE, Inc. for breach of two oral agreements — an equipment lease and a premises lease. DTE/BTE invoked the statute of frauds as a defense to enforcement of both leases. The parties stipulated to a bench trial that would be conducted in summary fashion, with each side presenting one witness. After trial, the district court found that appellants had failed to meet their burden of proof, and entered judgment for DTE/BTE. The district court also awarded DTE/BTE $49,192.70 in…