Rannells v. Graham

These consolidated appeals involve a suit on a promissory note and a suretyship agreement. The trial court granted judgment on a jury verdict of $1,240,000.00 against the corporate maker of the note and $488,250.00 against the individual defendants who signed as sureties for the corporation. In addition to questions as to the validity of these instruments, the case presents questions regarding the pre-trial hearing and the instructions to the jury.

On December 3, 1974, Bama Coal Company, Inc., was organized as an Alabama corporation and began producing coal about the same time. The original…