Alford v. Johnston

This is an appeal from a suit for damages related to a holdover tenancy on a ranch in Culberson County, Texas. Through an assignment of the ranch owners rights, Appellee Doug Johnston, the current lessee of the ranch, sued former lessee Appellant Daniel Lee Alford, III for pasturage damages resulting from Mr. Alfords wrongful holdover on the ranch past the commencement date of Mr. Johnstons lease. Mr. Johnston also sought recovery for damages to the ranch water system. After a bench trial, the trial court awarded no damages for replacement of the water system, but did award Mr. Johnston pasturage damages of $2,984.23 and attorneys fees through trial in the sum of $2,000, in addition to awarding him contingent attorneys fees related to future appeals. In four issues, Mr. Alford contends that the trial court erred in its award of pasturage damages and attorneys fees in this case. We will affirm.