View Summary
IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF NAOMI GARRETT DECEASED. ROBERT Y. WILLIAMS, Appellant
vs.
ESTHER M. FORBES CHARLENA IADEVAIA NATHELLE CARLSON CLARA STARNES WILLIAM TEARS VANESSA REED AND MALCOLM TEARS, Respondents.
Click Here to Read the Full Case Summary
Issues:
Drugs, marijuana, evidence, private right of action
Case Summary:
Robert Williams, the intended beneficiary of Naomi Garrett's final will, appeals a lower court's ruling concerning the document. Garrett's will excluded her relatives from the distribution of her estate. The will directed all property to Williams. Garrett's relatives contested the will, claiming evidence of prior drug abuse should prohibit Williams from receiving the property.
Decision of lower jurisdiction:
A trial court jury ruled for the surviving relatives. Williams now appeals.
Outcome:
Williams wins. The Nevada Supreme Court reversed the lower court's ruling. The supreme court ruled the lower court erred in allowing consideration of Williams' prior drug use. The supreme court considered Williams's prior drug use irrelevant to the case and ordered the case remanded for a new trial.