More Wrangling

The upcoming Oct. 20 trial date to resolve the 16-month conflict between developer Tom Terminella and Metropolitan National Bank of Little Rock is in jeopardy after a series of motions filed on both sides.

Both filed motions for summary judgment on Sept. 8, each claiming the benefit of the facts brought forward through depositions and discovery. Those motions are scheduled to be ruled upon a week before trial.

MNB filed foreclosure against Terminella on May 30, 2007, for more than $14 million in two loans. Terminella countersued for $50 million in damages on July 3, 2007, and they have been locked ever since in a bitter and very public war of charges and counter-charges.

Terminella has since amended his claim to $25 million in damages, and a second amended claim filed Sept. 12 seeks to add MNB owner Doyle Rogers and CEO Lunsford Bridges as individual defendants.

MNB has asked for a non-jury trial, with Terminella’s side demanding one.

MNB has also filed a motion to strike Rogers and Bridges, and for a continuance to prepare for trial in the event Washington County Circuit Court Judge Kim Smith accepts Terminella’s second amended claim.