Stone v. Williams (Stone II)

United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit

891 F.2d 401 (1989)

Relevant factsFree

After the Second Circuit initially affirmed summary judgment against Cathy Stone (plaintiff) on laches grounds in her suit against Hank Williams Jr. and related defendants, the Alabama Supreme Court, in a related state-court proceeding, found that the defendants had known of Stone's true parentage and rights as Hank Williams Sr.'s heir all along but had intentionally and fraudulently concealed that information -- leading the Alabama court to recognize Stone as a lawful heir to Williams Sr.'s estate. Based on this new finding, Stone petitioned for rehearing in the federal case.

IssueFree

Whether a court of equity may bar an otherwise successful laches defense as a result of fraud.

Holding & reasoning

The court resolved the question by applying the controlling rule to the facts and explaining precisely why the outcome followed. Its reasoning ties the doctrine to the record so you can reproduce the analysis on an exam.

Procedural history, concurrence & dissent

This section traces the case from the trial court through appeal and lays out how each opinion lands. Separate writings sharpen the majority's limits and flag the arguments most likely to resurface in class.

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