Transamerica Life Insurance Company Versus Bruce Fusulier, Jr., Tonya I. Gegenheimer, and Susan Bunny

TRANSAMERICA LIFE NO. 22-C-548
INSURANCE COMPANY
FIFTH CIRCUIT
VERSUS
COURT OF APPEAL
BRUCE FUSULIER, JR., TONYA I.
GEGENHEIMER, AND SUSAN BUNNY STATE OF LOUISIANA

December 16, 2022

Linda Wiseman
First Deputy Clerk

IN RE TONYA GEGENHEIMER

APPLYING FOR SUPERVISORY WRIT FROM THE TWENTY-FOURTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT,
PARISH OF JEFFERSON, STATE OF LOUISIANA, DIRECTED TO THE HONORABLE ROBERT J. BURNS,
JUDGE PRO TEMPORE, DIVISION "M", NUMBER 759-140

Panel composed of Judges Jude G. Gravois,
Marc E. Johnson, and Robert A. Chaisson

WRIT GRANTED

On the showing made, we find that the trial court legally erred when it failed
to fix the bond for a suspensive appeal of the September 21, 2022 partial final
judgment. We further find that the trial court erred when it converted relator’s
motion for a suspensive appeal into a devolutive appeal. While an appellant must
file both the petition for appeal and furnish the security within the delay period
allowed in La. C.C.P. art. 2123, when the motion for appeal has been timely filed,
the appeal may still be perfected if the tardy filing of the security is imputable to
the court system rather than the appellant. Blue, Williams & Buckley v. Brian
Investments, Ltd., 96-1451 (La. App. 1 Cir. 6/20/97), 706 So.2d 999, 1002, writ
denied, 97-2192 (La. 11/21/97), 703 So.2d 1311. Accordingly, we grant relator’s
writ and instruct the trial court to set the bond amount for a suspensive appeal of
the September 21, judgment. We additionally instruct the trial court to amend its
October 27, 2022 order of appeal to grant the suspensive appeal requested,
provided that relator posts the bond within 15 days from the date the bond is set.

Gretna, Louisiana, this 16th day of December, 2022.

RAC
JGG
MEJ

22-C-548

SUSAN M. CHEHARDY CURTIS B. PURSELL

CHIEF JUDGE CLERK OF COURT

SUSAN S. BUCHHOLZ
FREDERICKA H. WICKER
INTERIM CHIEF DEPUTY CLERK
JUDE G. GRAVOIS
MARC E. JOHNSON
ROBERT A. CHAISSON LINDA M. WISEMAN
STEPHEN J. WINDHORST
FIRST DEPUTY CLERK
HANS J. LILJEBERG
JOHN J. MOLAISON, JR. FIFTH CIRCUIT
MELISSA C. LEDET
JUDGES 101 DERBIGNY STREET (70053)
DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL STAFF
POST OFFICE BOX 489
GRETNA, LOUISIANA 70054 (504) 376-1400

(504) 376-1498 FAX
www.fifthcircuit.org

NOTICE OF DISPOSITION CERTIFICATE OF DELIVERY
I CERTIFY THAT A COPY OF THE DISPOSITION IN THE FOREGOING MATTER HAS BEEN
TRANSMITTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH UNIFORM RULES - COURT OF APPEAL, RULE 4-6 THIS
DAY 12/16/2022 TO THE TRIAL JUDGE, THE TRIAL COURT CLERK OF COURT, AND AT LEAST ONE OF
THE COUNSEL OF RECORD FOR EACH PARTY, AND TO EACH PARTY NOT REPRESENTED BY
COUNSEL, AS LISTED BELOW:

22-C-548
E-NOTIFIED
24th Judicial District Court (Clerk)
Honorable Robert J. Burns, Judge Pro Tempore (DISTRICT JUDGE)
Honorable Frank A. Brindisi (DISTRICT JUDGE)
Gretchen F. Richards (Respondent)
Kate C. Casanova (Relator)
Kelly Gayle Juneau Rookard (Respondent)

MAILED
Edward W. Trapolin (Respondent) John E. Sudderth (Relator)
Attorney at Law Leo M. Prange, III (Relator)
400 Poydras Street Attorney at Law
Suite 2700 917 North Causeway Boulevard
New Orleans, LA 70130 Metairie, LA 70001

SENDER: COMPLETE THIS SECTION

• Complete Items 1, 2, and 3.
• Print your name and adc:IAISS on the reverse
ao that we can return the card to you.
• Attach this card to the back of the mallplece, C. Date of Oellvery
or on the front If space permits.
1. Article Add~ to: D. Is delivery addreea different from ll8m 1? D Yes
If YES, enter dellVery address below: 0 No
EdW3rd W. Trapolin
Attorney c:t Law
400 Poydras Street
Suite 2700
New Orleans, LA 70130
22-C-548 12-16-22

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9590 9402 2434 6249 3638 19

PS Form 3811, July 2015 PSN 7530-02--000-9053 Domestic Return Receipt '

---.I

• Complete Items 1, 2, and 3,
• Print your name and address on the reverse 0Agent
so that we can retum the card to you. a AddTessee
c. Date of Delivery
• Attach this card to the back of the mallplece,
or on the front If space permits.
1. Article Addressed to: D. addr9S8 dllferent from Item 1? 0 Yes
If YE6, enter dellvely address below: 0 No
Leo M. Prange, III
Attorney at Law
917 North Causeway Boulevard
Metairie, LA 7000 I
22-C-548 12-16-22

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PS Fonn 3811, July 2015 PSN 753().-02-000-9053 Domestic Return Receipt