Join hosts Peter Taaffe and Kyle Herbert on The Dirty Verdict Podcast as they dive into a riveting Houston courtroom drama with special guest, attorney Matt Mussalli. In this episode, Matt unpacks a fascinating 2024 jury trial involving a homeowners’ dispute with designer Kevin Spearman, where a seemingly straightforward interior design project spiraled into a high-stakes legal battle. From a $374,000 project to a staggering $9.4 million damages claim, this case is a masterclass in courtroom strategy, emotional undercurrents, and the art of the defense. With co-host Bill Ogden absent due to a family loss, Peter and Kyle explore the twists and turns of this 12-day trial, revealing how a small case became a big lesson in human psychology and legal maneuvering.

Episode Highlights:

• The Case Setup: A homeowner couple hired Kevin Spearman Design for a home renovation, leading to disputes over pricing and documentation that culminated in a 2024 jury trial in Houston’s 165th District Court.
• High Stakes, Low Outcome: The plaintiffs sought $5.598 million against Kevin Spearman Design and $3.86 million against Spearman personally, but the jury delivered a “take nothing” judgment, favoring the defense.
• The Unsigned Contract Controversy: A pivotal issue was the unsigned contract, which the plaintiffs disputed but the jury upheld, supported by the homeowners’ actions aligning with its terms.
• Emotional Undercurrents: Tensions flared over a note accusing Spearman of “shafting” the plaintiffs on arts and accessories, revealing a breakdown in trust that fueled the lawsuit.
• Courtroom Creativity: Matt Mussalli’s innovative use of a Clue board game in closing arguments and a plaintiff’s own book during cross-examination brought drama and wit to the trial.
• Jury Dynamics: The trial, extended from three to 12 days, saw jurors bond as the “KSD 12,” even creating a t-shirt for Judge Hall, reflecting their commitment and engagement.
• Lessons in Proportion: The episode explores how a $374,000 project ballooned into a $9.4 million claim, underscoring the pitfalls of letting emotion drive litigation.

Subscribe to The Dirty Verdict Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, or wherever you get your podcasts for more gripping legal stories!

In this gripping episode of the Dirty Verdict Podcast, hosts Peter Taaffe and Kyle Herbert dive into a landmark legal case with returning guest Ryan Pigg of the Buzbee Law Firm. With co-host Bill absent, Peter and Kyle unpack the details of a massive verdict in a crane collapse case at Texas A&M San Antonio, where a tragic accident led to the death of David Loree. Ryan, who played a pivotal role in the trial, shares an insider’s perspective on the case, from legal strategy and courtroom dynamics to the emotional weight of securing justice for the Loree family. The episode covers the complexities of the case, the defense’s missteps, and the jury’s resounding $640 million verdict, including $480 million in punitive damages. Tune in for an engaging discussion on liability, trial tactics, and the value of human life in Harris County.

Episode Highlights:

• 00:00:14:39 - 00:00:56:06: Peter and Kyle kick off the episode with lighthearted banter about their absent co-host Bill, humorously noting his absence creates a "vacuum of noise" and joking about his "hydrogenated oil and fat" persona in post-production.
• 00:01:18:51 - 00:01:45:03: The hosts celebrate producer Amanda’s birthday month with a massive cake, playfully speculating about her "top secret" age and keeping the mood festive.
• 00:02:04:37 - 00:03:33:52: Ryan Pigg joins the show and discusses his role in the crane collapse case, detailing how he was brought in to assist with legal briefing and witness prep after an overwhelming number of defense motions.
• 00:06:07:15 - 00:08:24:04: Ryan provides a vivid overview of the case: a 5,000-pound, top-heavy HVAC unit collapsed due to improper rigging by TNT Crane, killing David Loree and injuring another worker.
• 00:10:31:50 - 00:12:26:34: The discussion reveals the defense’s surprising decision to lower their settlement offer just before trial, a move Ryan interprets as a misguided attempt to assert dominance, and the last-minute switch in their legal team, signaling desperation.
• 00:16:51:15 - 00:19:21:38: Ryan highlights critical evidence, including text messages from TNT managers acknowledging the unit’s instability 40 minutes before the fatal incident, underscoring their negligence in failing to halt the lift.
• 00:20:17:35 - 00:23:15:51: A turning point in the trial is discussed, where the defense’s opening claim that wind played no role was immediately contradicted by a witness, setting the stage for Tony Buzbee’s powerful courtroom moments.
• 00:23:57:07 - 00:26:04:59: Ryan explains Tony’s strategic closing arguments, framing the $160 million compensatory and $480 million punitive damages to emphasize the high value of human life and the need to punish TNT’s gross negligence.
• 00:26:28:30 - 00:28:49:56: The hosts explore the voir dire process, where Tony focused on jurors’ willingness to award significant damages, priming them for the case’s high stakes and overcoming biases against large verdicts.
• 00:29:17:30 - 00:31:30:13: Ryan critiques the defense’s inconsistent strategy of flip-flopping between blaming David Loree and his employer, Way Engineering, which confused the jury and weakened their case.
• 00:35:37:07 - 00:36:48:36: The emotional impact of the verdict is shared, with Ryan describing the relief and pride felt by the team as the jury affirmed their case and recognized the gross negligence involved.
• 00:41:41:19 - 00:44:29:21: The hosts discuss a last-ditch defense motion for sanctions over Tony’s social media posts, which was swiftly denied after Tony expertly framed it as an attempt to allege juror misconduct, reinforcing the jury’s integrity.

Where to Listen: Catch this episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and other platforms. Follow the Dirty Verdict Podcast for more insightful legal discussions, and visit Ryan Pigg at ryanpigglaw.com or the Buzbee Law Firm at txattorneys.com for more on this case.

Join hosts Peter Taaffe, Kyle Herbert, and Bill Ogden on The Dirty Verdict podcast as they dive into the gritty world of private investigation with special guests Scott Cervenka and Todd Fibich from Delta Intel. In this engaging episode, the team explores how private investigators play a pivotal role in legal cases, from tracking down elusive witnesses to uncovering critical evidence that can make or break a case. With decades of law enforcement experience, Scott and Todd share captivating stories, insider tips, and the cutting-edge techniques they use to assist attorneys in civil, criminal, and family law matters. Whether you’re a lawyer looking to sharpen your case strategy or simply curious about the investigative process, this episode offers a fascinating glimpse into the world of PI work.

Show Highlights:

• Law Enforcement Roots: Scott Cervenka discusses his transition from HPD’s Major Offenders Division and FBI Cyber Crimes Task Force to founding Delta Intel, while Todd Fibich shares his journey from Bellaire and League City Police Departments to private investigation.
• Art Heist Recovery: Scott recounts a seven-month investigation to recover stolen artwork, revealing how informants and persistence led to finding million-dollar paintings in an unlikely Houston home.
• High-Stakes Stakeout: Todd details a harrowing 2021 ambush by a gunman in League City, earning him the Police Combat Cross for neutralizing the threat with accurate return fire.
• Surveillance Success: Todd shares a recent case where surveillance footage of an 18-wheeler disproved a company’s claims, leading to a swift settlement after trial testimony.
• Mold Cover-Up Exposed: Scott describes a case where an Instagram post led to uncovering a cover-up of mold in an apartment, securing key witnesses for a plaintiff’s attorney.
• Tech-Savvy Investigations: The guests reveal how they leverage social media, deep web searches, and location data to track witnesses and verify testimony.

Topics Discussed:

• The role of private investigators in legal cases, including locating hard-to-find individuals, conducting surveillance, and gathering evidence.
• Common errors in police crash reports and how Delta Intel corrects them to strengthen cases.
• The importance of early investigator involvement to preserve critical evidence, such as surveillance footage that may be overwritten within 10–30 days.
• Techniques for background checks and open-source intelligence reports to prepare clients and counter opposing witnesses.
• Challenges of serving legal documents and locating clients for mass tort settlements.
• The psychological toll of police work and Todd’s decision to transition to a less stressful career in private investigation.
• Tips for disappearing off the grid, including avoiding trackable vehicles and abandoning smartphones.

Where to Listen: Catch this episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn. Like and subscribe to stay updated on future episodes of The Dirty Verdict.

Contact Delta Intel: Learn more about Scott and Todd’s services at DeltaWins.com.

Note: This episode includes humorous banter and a special birthday shoutout to Todd’s brother, Greg, complete with a celebratory cake!