Defendant on hook for $1.2M, Cooke County jury determines
A Cooke County jury recently handed down a $1.2 million judgment after an eight-day civil trial in the 235th District Court.
The judgment is one of the largest in county history. Court records show it concludes a civil case filed in 2012.
The jury ruled that defendant Cynthia Ann Mitsch Bearden maliciously brought criminal charges against the plaintiff, Jared Leclair, without probable cause. The jury also agreed Bearden defamed Leclair in the process, according to the documents recording the jury’s decisions.
The $1.2 million judgment against Bearden covers Leclair’s legal fees related to fighting the malicious criminal charge, the mental anguish and damage to his reputation stemming from the charge as well as $500,000 in additional damages based on the nature of the wrong and Bearden’s net worth, court documents show.
Read more: https://www.gainesvilleregister.com/news/local_news/defendant-on-hook-for-m-jury-determines/article_a85449ae-0281-11ea-a64b-871528b9d24c.html
A search on the defendant's name indicates that she may have the assets necessary to pay the judgment. The plaintiff is a performance horse trainer.
