In Re North American Refractories Co.

OPINION ON REHEARING

RONALD L. WALKER, Chief Justice.

In response to a motion for rehearing filed by the real parties in interest, we withdraw our opinion of August 30, 2001, and substitute the following in its place.

North American Refractories Company (“NARCO”) seeks a writ of mandamus to compel the Honorable Patrick A. Clark, judge of the 128th District Court of Orange County, Texas, to grant a continuance of a trial originally scheduled to commence on June 25, 2001. The underlying asbestos products liability suit involves over 4000 plaintiffs. This particular trial affects ten plaintiffs 1…