Crest Construction, Inc. v. Murray
This case involves an appeal by Crest Construction, Inc. against Judy Murray, individually and as independent executrix of James E. Murray's estate. The dispute stems from sub-contracts on three construction projects (Beaumont, Borden, and Cooper Jobs). Crest sued Murray for tortious interference after Judy Murray filed a lien on the Beaumont Job, despite a prior settlement agreement and lien waiver signed by Jim Murray. Crest also alleged breach of contract on the Borden and Cooper Jobs. The appellate court reversed and remanded the judgment, finding that Judy Murray's lien filing constituted tortious interference as a matter of law and that Crest also breached the Beaumont settlement agreement by refusing to pay the agreed-upon amount. The court also disallowed recovery based on quantum meruit for the Borden and Cooper jobs, directing that those issues be retried on a breach of contract theory.