Judge Floyd levies $2M judgment against man who assaulted woman

Seven years ago, Rodney Rife assaulted Terry Reese, who turned around and sued him.

The two parties reached a settlement last year, but Rife reneged on the deal, court papers say.

Judge Donald Floyd of the 172nd District settled the issue for good July 14, ruling that Rife must pay Reese $2,025,000 in damages.

"All of these claims arose from the intentional battery of Terry Reese by Rodney Rife and the fraud that resulted from the settlement of said claim," Floyd wrote in his Final Judgment order.

"It is therefore ordered � that the plaintiff � recover $375,000 for the breach of contract claim, $150,000 for attorney's fees and $1,500,000 in punitive damages," the judge ruled.

Less than a year after the July 2001 assault, Reese filed her lawsuit in Jefferson County District Court, alleging Rife had "beat" her at a Groves apartment.

"As a direct result of (Rife's) conduct, (Reese) sustained bodily injuries requiring medical care and attention," Reese's lawsuit states.

On June 7, 2007, Rife and Reese entered into a binding settlement agreement, court papers say.

Shortly after the deal, Rife claimed he never authorized his attorney to make the deal.

In his original answer, Rife denied any wrongdoing and asked he be awarded attorneys' fees.

Reese was represented by Reaud, Morgan & Quinn attorney Chris Portner.

The suit had originally been assigned to the 60th Judicial District.

Case No. B166-524