Charles Ben Howell, and Ken E. MacKey v. The Supreme Court of Texas

REAVLEY, Circuit Judge:

Appellant Charles Ben Howell brought this § 1983 action seeking declaratory and injunctive relief. The district court concluded that Howell had already litigated his claims in state court and dismissed for lack of jurisdiction. The district court assessed attorneys’ fees and expenses against Howell and his attorney as Rule 11 sanctions.

In this appeal, Howell asserts that the district court erred in concluding that it did not have jurisdiction under the Rook-er-Feldman doctrine. Alternatively, Howell argues that the court should have exercised jurisdiction because the…