JONES v. HATCH (2026)

SUPPLEMENTAL OPINION

REVERSED AND RENDERED IN PART, AFFIRMED IN PART AS MODIFIED

On April 1, 2026, we issued our original opinion in this case, reversing the parts of the trial court's judgment awarding appellees Raquel Hatch and James McCowan Jr. damages for pecuniary losses in the amount of $1,300,000.00 each and rendering judgment that Hatch and McCowan take nothing on these claims. As to the other actual damages awarded, our original opinion suggested remittiturs for Hatch and McCowan, individually, and as representatives of the estate of Taylor McCowan. We explained that if appellees filed notices of remittitur within twenty days from the date of our original opinion, we would modify the trial court's judgment accordingly. We suggested the following remittiturs: (1) as to Hatch, individually, a remittitur in the amount of $11,500,000.00 plus related prejudgment interest; (2) as to McCowan, individually, a remittitur in the amount of $11,500,000.00 plus related prejudgment interest; and (3) as to Hatch and McCowan, as representatives of the estate of Taylor McCowan, a remittitur in the amount of $18,000,000.00 plus related prejudgment interest. Appellees timely filed notices accepting the suggested remittiturs.

In accordance with our original opinion and appellees' notices accepting the remittiturs, we modify the parts of the trial court's judgment awarding actual damages to reflect that: (1) Hatch, individually, shall recover actual damages from appellant Jonathan Paul Jones in the amount of $9,500,000.00, plus prejudgment interest calculated on the past actual damages award of $5,500,000.00 at the annual rate of 8.50% as of June 17, 2024; (2) McCowan, individually, shall recover actual damages from Jones in the amount of $9,500,000.00, plus prejudgment interest calculated on the past actual damages award of $5,500,000.00 at the annual rate of 8.50% as of June 17, 2024; and (3) Hatch and McCowan, as representatives of the estate of Taylor McCowan, shall recover actual damages from Jones in the amount of $6,000,000.00, plus prejudgment interest calculated on the past actual damages award of $6,000,000.00 at the annual rate of 8.50% as of June 17, 2024. As modified, these parts of the trial court's judgment are affirmed.

We affirm the remainder of the trial court's judgment. Our original opinion remains in effect.

Opinion by: Adrian A. Spears II, Justice