Supreme Court of Alabama June 6, 2003, 1011467, 1020254, and 1020309 (Ex Parte Walter Industries, Inc.)

These three mandamus petitions have been consolidated for purposes of writing one opinion. We grant the petitions and issue the writs. Facts and Procedural History On September 23, 2001, 13 people died as a result of a mining accident in a mine owned and operated by Jim Walter Resources, Inc. ("JWR"), in Tuscaloosa County. Among those killed were John W. Knox and Gaston Earl Adams, Jr.