In Re Coy Reece, Relator

Summary

The Texas Supreme Court held that the trial court abused its discretion by finding Coy Reece in contempt for perjury during a deposition because the perjury did not obstruct the court, and because Reece had no adequate appellate remedy, the Court granted a writ of mandamus ordering the contempt judgments vacated. The Court noted its broad mandamus jurisdiction and limited habeas jurisdiction. Two dissenting opinions argued that statutory limits preclude mandamus relief and that the petition was essentially for habeas relief.