BEAUMONT – The seemingly never-ending litigious saga between Stephen Hartman and Layne Walker may have finally come to a conclusion, as a final judgment has been entered in Walker’s favor.
The judgment stems from a $10 million lawsuit Hartman brought against Walker and two dozen other defendants, alleging a vast conspiracy to “maliciously prosecute” him.
In May 2013, Hartman attempted to serve Walker, who was a district judge at the time, while he was holding court, leading to his arrest for disrupting court proceedings.
The evidence shows deputies instructed Hartman to leave but he refused. He was then handcuffed and forcibly removed. The criminal charges against Hartman were dismissed, as an internal affairs investigation found the deputies mishandled evidence.
On April 13, a final summary judgment was entered in the lawsuit stating that: “Plaintiff Stephen Hartman shall take nothing from Defendant Layne Walker.”
“My family and I are grateful to finally have this ugly chapter of our lives behind us,” said Walker.
Jeff Dorrell, a Hanszen LaPorte attorney who represented Walker throughout the litigation, said: “It’s nice when the courts do justice.”
As previously reported, the case recently made headlines when the sheriff’s deputy who arrested Hartman testified that attorney Wayne Reaud attempted to suborn perjury from the deputy to “give up the goods” on Walker.
Hartman is also known locally for more than just trying to serve a judge during court. He drew media attention when he was convicted of deadly conduct.
While working as a bounty hunter, Hartman had attempted to run some women off the road and pointed a gun at them.
Hartman is represented by Beaumont attorney John Morgan.