Defendants' Mandamus Petition Challenges Consolidation of Silica Cases

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas - Two defendants in a Texas silica case that generated nearly $300 million in default judgments have filed a mandamus petition in state appeals court, challenging two judges' apparent decisions to ignore an order consolidating the case with nearly 10 others outside of their jurisdiction. In Re Amfels, Inc. and U.S. Silica Company, No. 13-04-00064-CV (Texas Ct. App., Thirteenth Dist.).

In a petition for writ of mandamus filed Feb. 3 in the Thirteen District Texas Court of Appeals, defendants U.S. Silica Co. and Amfels, Inc., have asked the court to vacate any orders issued from the district …