Court Allows State 5 Minute Appearance in Takings Clause Dispute Appeal

AUSTIN, Texas -- The Texas Supreme Court allowed the State of Texas five minutes to present argument in the appeal of a jury's decision to award a benzene plaintiff $7.5 million in personal injury damages under the state's Taking Clause, sources told HarrisMartin. The City of San Antonio v. Pollock, et al., No. 04-1118 (Texas Sup. Ct.).

On Oct. 13, the High Court dismissed a state-filed motion to participate in the argument, but invited a member of the Attorney General's office to appear and present five minutes of argument. Sources also indicated that the High Court dismissed the State of …