Zion v. Stockfieth

DUFRESNE, Judge.

This is an appeal by Lloyd Stockfieth and Chevron U.S.A., defendants-appellants, from a judgment in a personal injury action in favor of Buck Zion, plaintiff-appellee. Because we find that the trial court was without jurisdiction over this matter on the date of signing of the judgment, we hold that the judgment is void, and remand the case for further proceedings.

The procedural facts are these. The case was tried originally by the Honorable Frank V. Zacearía, on November 13, 1985. The trial judge retired on December 10, 1985, before rendering a judgment. On April 3, 1986, a…