Reginald S. Grimmett v. William D. and Kerry L. Smith , 238 W. Va. 54 ( 2016 )

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF APPEALS OF WEST VIRGINIA
September 2016 Term
FILED
October 12, 2916
No. 14-1105 released at 3:00 p.m.
RORY L. PERRY, II CLERK
SUPREME COURT OF APPEALS
OF WEST VIRGINIA
REGINALD S. GRIMMETT,
Defendant Below, Petitioner
v.
WILLIAM D. SMITH AND KERRY L. SMITH,
Plaintiffs Below, Respondents
Appeal from the Circuit Court of Wood County
Honorable J.D. Beane, Judge
Civil Action No. 11-C-216
REVERSED AND REMANDED
Submitted: September 14, 2016
Filed: October 12, 2016
George J. Cosenza, Esq. Robert L. Bays, Esq.
Cosenza Law Office John C. Hudson, Esq.
Parkersburg, West Virginia Bowles Rice LLP
Attorney for Petitioner Parkersburg, West Virginia
Attorneys for Respondents
JUSTICE LOUGHRY delivered the Opinion of the Court.
SYLLABUS BY THE COURT
1. “A motion for a new trial is governed by a different standard than a
motion for [judgment as a matter of law]. When a trial judge vacates a jury verdict and
awards a new trial pursuant to Rule 59 of the West Virginia Rules of Civil Procedure, the trial
judge has the authority to weigh the evidence and consider the credibility of the witnesses.
If the trial judge finds the verdict is against the clear weight of the evidence, is based on false
evidence or will result in a miscarriage of justice, the trial judge may set aside the verdict,
even if supported by substantial evidence, and grant a new trial. A trial judge’s decision to
award a new trial is not subject to appellate review unless the trial judge abuses his or her
discretion.” Syl. Pt. 3, In re State Public Bldg. Asbestos Litig., 193 W.Va. 119, 454 S.E.2d
413 (1994).
2. “‘“The ruling of a trial court in granting or denying a motion for a new
trial is entitled to great respect and weight, [and] the trial court’s ruling will be reversed on
appeal [only] when it is clear that the trial court has acted under some misapprehension of
the law or the evidence.” Syl. pt. 4, in part, Sanders v. Georgia-Pacific Corp., 159 W.Va.
621, 225 S.E.2d 218 (1976).’ Syllabus point 2, Estep v. Mike Ferrell Ford Lincoln-Mercury,
Inc., 223 W.Va. 209, 672 S.E.2d 345 (2008).” Syl. Pt. 2, CSX Transp., Inc. v. Smith, 229
W.Va. 316, 729 S.E.2d 151 (2012).
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3. “Where the trial court improperly sets aside a verdict of a jury, such
verdict will be reinstated by this Court and judgment rendered thereon.” Syl. Pt. 4, Bronson
v. Riffe, 148 W.Va. 362, 135 S.E.2d 244 (1964).
4. “Where, in the trial of an action at law before a jury, the evidence is
conflicting, it is the province of the jury to resolve the conflict, and its verdict thereon will
not be disturbed unless believed to be plainly wrong.” Syl. Pt. 2, French v. Sinkford, 132
W.Va. 66, 54 S.E.2d 38 (1948).
5. “It is the peculiar and exclusive province of a jury to weigh the evidence
and to resolve questions of fact when the testimony of witnesses regarding them is
conflicting and the finding of the jury upon such facts will not ordinarily be disturbed.” Syl.
Pt. 2, Skeen v. C and G Corp., 155 W.Va 547, 185 S.E.2d 493 (1971).
6. “When a case involving conflicting testimony and circumstances has
been fairly tried, under proper instructions, the verdict of the jury will not be set aside unless
plainly contrary to the weight of the evidence or without sufficient evidence to support it.”
Syl. Pt. 4, Laslo v. Griffith, 143 W.Va. 469, 102 S.E.2d 894 (1958).
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7. “In determining whether there is sufficient evidence to support a jury
verdict the court should: (1) consider the evidence most favorable to the prevailing party;
(2) assume that all conflicts in the evidence were resolved by the jury in favor of the
prevailing party; (3) assume as proved all facts which the prevailing party’s evidence tends
to prove; and (4) give to the prevailing party the benefit of all favorable inferences which
reasonably may be drawn from the facts proved.” Syl. Pt. 5, Orr v. Crowder, 173 W.Va. 335,
315 S.E.2d 593 (1983).
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LOUGHRY, Justice:
The petitioner and defendant below, Reginald S. Grimmett, appeals a
September 23, 2014, order of the Circuit Court of Wood County setting aside a jury verdict
and granting a new trial to the respondents and plaintiffs below, William Smith and his wife,
Kerry Smith. The Smiths filed a complaint on May 20, 2011, asserting Mr. Grimmett
damaged their real property while developing a mobile home community on his adjacent tract
of land by allowing sediment to cross the boundary line and settle into their pond. At the end
of a three-day trial in July 2014, the jury returned a verdict finding Mr. Grimmett not liable.
Thereafter, pursuant to a motion for a new trial filed by the Smiths, the circuit court found
the verdict was against the clear weight of the evidence, clearly wrong, and would result in
a miscarriage of justice. In this appeal, Mr. Grimmett argues that sufficient evidence was
presented at trial to support the jury’s verdict.
Upon review of the parties’ briefs and arguments, the submitted record, and
pertinent authorities, we find the circuit court committed reversible error by setting aside the
jury verdict and granting the Smiths a new trial. Accordingly, we reverse the circuit court’s
decision and remand this case for entry of an order reinstating the jury’s verdict.
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I. Factual and Procedural Background
The Smiths and Mr. Grimmett are adjacent owners of real estate located in
Mineral Wells, West Virginia. Mr. Grimmett purchased his eleven-acre tract in 2002 and
developed it into a mobile home rental community known as Skyview Acres in 2003.1 The
Smiths obtained their property, which includes a dwelling and a half-acre pond, in July 2003.
At the time of their purchase, the Smiths were aware of the ongoing development of the
Grimmett tract.
In 2009, Mr. Grimmett constructed a walking trail around the perimeter of his
property to mark his boundary and provide an exercise area for his tenants. Two years later,
he began to construct a small amphitheater and picnic shelter. During the course of
construction, Mr. Grimmett was cited for various violations of West Virginia Department of
Environmental Protection (DEP) regulations related to erosion control; however, he was
never fined. Mr. Grimmett corrected the environmental violations, completed the project,
and the construction permit was terminated.2
1
There are twenty-five mobile homes on Mr. Grimmett’s property.
2
The DEP documents submitted into evidence at trial indicate that whenever an
individual develops more than three acres of property, a permit for storm water discharges
associated with the construction activity must be obtained. The permitting process requires
the individual to submit a drainage plan for controlling the runoff to the DEP permitting
section. When storm water discharges associated with the construction activity are
eliminated, the individual must submit A Notice of Termination form to the DEP. After the
DEP determines by inspection that stabilization of the site is complete, the permit is
terminated.
2
The Smiths filed this civil action seeking compensation for damage to their real
property allegedly caused by Mr. Grimmett’s development and excavation of his adjoining
land. At trial, the key witness for the Smiths was Garland Roberts, who is employed by the
DEP as a construction stormwater inspector for the southwest region of the state. Mr.
Roberts testified that he visited Mr. Grimmett’s property on three occasions after Mr.
Grimmett requested termination of his construction permit. Mr. Roberts stated that during
his first and second visits to the property, he documented violations of relevant DEP
regulations, testifying:
There was a violation for water quality standards,
deposits were noted in the stream below. Conditions not
allowable. There was a violation for not inspecting the erosion
and sediment control devices according to the requirement.
There was a violation for not maintaining records of those
inspections. There was a violation of not proper operation and
maintenance of all erosion and sediment control structures. And
there was a violation for not posting the required outlet marker.
An additional violation was issued for not reestablishing
vegetation within 30 days of it failing to germinate.
Mr. Roberts further testified that before he ever visited the property, Mr. Grimmett called
him asking for assistance “quite a number of times.” Mr. Roberts said he advised Mr.
Grimmett that “he needed to put in controls for stream stabilization to hold the sediments in
place,” but “I didn’t specify exactly what controls he needed to install.” Acknowledging that
providing assistance to permittees is part of his job, Mr. Roberts explained he is responsible
for thirteen counties and thousands of permits, and he does not always have time to render
help.
3
Regarding his third visit to the property, Mr. Roberts testified he determined
the site was stabilized and, accordingly, terminated Mr. Grimmett’s construction permit. Mr.
Roberts stated that Mr. Grimmett corrected the violations in a timely manner and, while
sediment from the Grimmett property went downstream, he did not have any idea what
volume of sediment left the site or where the sediment was ultimately deposited. Mr. Roberts
said he never visited the Smiths’ property and he never examined their pond. During Mr.
Roberts’s testimony, photographs he took during his inspections were shown to the jury.
The Smiths also presented testimony from their neighbor, Patricia Mulinex,
who grew up in the area. Ms. Mulinex testified she has lived in her current house, which is
located next to the Smiths, since 1999. Ms. Mulinex’s testimony focused on the the color of
the pond before and after Mr. Grimmett completed his construction projects. On cross-
examination, she was asked, “And was the pond clear today?” Mrs. Mulinex answered, “It
was looking pretty good.”
Terry Lane Smith, a commercial and residential contractor with thirty-two
years of experience in the excavating business, testified for the Smiths regarding the cost to
clean out the pond.3 Terry Smith testified that he visited the Smiths’ property on two
3
Although they have the same last name, the respondents, William and Kerry Smith,
are not related to Terry Smith. To avoid confusion, we refer to Terry Smith using his first
and last name. William Smith is referenced by his full name or “Mr. Smith.”
4
occasions and provided two estimates.4 In 2010, he estimated the cost to clean out the pond
would be approximately $96,000. In 2013, his estimate ranged from $126,000 to $212,000.
He attributed the difference in price to the method of debris removal he proposed to use and
the fact he believed that by 2013, additional sediment had flowed into the pond. However,
Terry Smith was not able to say how much sediment was actually in the pond. He testified
he did not know the depth of the pond when the Smiths purchased the property; he never
measured the depth of the pond when he gave his estimates; and he did not have a
conversation with the Smiths regarding their desired depth for the pond. When asked to
explain how he arrived at his estimates, Terry Smith indicated he factored in the cost of
renting equipment to complete the project. He admitted, though, that he had not obtained any
price quotes from the companies that would provide the equipment.5
William Smith testified he and his wife purchased their property for $168,000.
Mr. Smith described the pond at the time of purchase as “rich in sediment” and “ reddish-
brown” in color. He stated “the color was off putting to my wife,”explaining she would not
4
Two additional written estimates for cleaning out the pond were submitted into
evidence. One business proposed to partially excavate the pond at a cost of $7,300. Another
business proposed “pond work and land restoration” at a cost of $81,300.
5
During his testimony, Terry Smith acknowledged that he had been a client of the
Smiths’ attorney for eighteen to twenty years, and he was being paid $400 an hour for his
testimony. This arrangement was confirmed by William Smith, who testified he had been
told by his attorney to set aside $5,000 to pay for expert testimony. While the parties refer
to Terry Smith as an expert witness, the trial transcript does not reflect that he was qualified
as an expert at trial.
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swim in the pond. He indicated, however, that he was not concerned about the condition of
the pond at the time of purchase. Mr. Smith further testified that after a few years, the color
of the pond improved until Mr. Grimmett began constructing his walking trail in 2009. Mr.
Smith testified he does not know how deep the pond was when he purchased his property and
he has never had the depth of the pond measured. During Mr. Smith’s testimony, a video
showing runoff leaving Mr. Grimmett’s property was presented to the jury. Testifying that
the runoff went into his pond, Mr. Smith used this video to indicate the flow pattern. While
maintaining Mr. Grimmett’s property is the source of the sediment in his pond, Mr. Smith
acknowledged that runoff from other surrounding properties has also resulted in the
depositing of silt and debris in his pond. In that regard, he testified on cross-examination as
follows:
Q: So you’re getting some muddy water and things off the
Mulinex property when there’s a heavy rain?
A: Yes.
Q: And that’s feeding into your pond?
A: Yes.
Q: Have –
A: Quite a bit.
Q: Have you ever tried to do anything with them to stop that
from happening?
A: No. Again, that’s–those are some really good people, and
it’s a drop in the bucket really.
Q: Okay.
A: It’s not worth hurting our relationship over.
Q: But it is contaminating your pond?
A: Not really.
Q: It’s silty water coming in your pond, isn’t it?
A: It’s – to compare the two is just absurd.
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Q: Well, okay. But you would at least agree with me that
the water that’s being deposited into your pond from time-to­
time from the Mulinex property is dirty water?
A: Yes.
Q: That carries silt and other particles in it, correct?
A: Yes.
After the Smiths presented their case, Mr. Grimmett testified on his own behalf
but did not present any additional witnesses. Mr. Grimmett told the jury about the various
construction projects on his property and his methods of erosion control, explaining that he
used “a lot of silt fencing.” Generally, Mr. Grimmett disputed the Smiths’ claim that
excessive amounts of sediment left his property as a result of his construction activities and
flowed into their pond. During his testimony, the jury was shown a video of the Smiths’s
pond that Mr. Grimmett took a few days prior to trial. According to the record in this case,
this video showed that the pond was clear with lily pads growing in the water.6
The jury was given a verdict form to complete during deliberations with the
following three questions pertaining to liability:
Have the Plaintiffs proven, by a preponderance of the
evidence, that the Defendant, Reginald Grimmett, in the
development of his real property, unreasonably caused silt, dirt
or other pollutants, to come upon the property of the Plaintiffs,
William D. Smith and Kerry L. Smith?
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During their deliberations, the jury requested and was permitted to view Mr.
Grimmett’s video a second time.
7
Have the Plaintiffs proven, by a preponderance of the
evidence, that the Defendant, Reginald Grimmett, in the
development of his real property was negligent in the
construction and development of his real property, which caused
silt, dirt, rocks, chemicals or water in unnatural quantities, to
come upon the property owned by the Plaintiffs, William D.
Smith and Kerry L. Smith?
Have the Plaintiffs proven, by a preponderance of the
evidence, that the Defendant, Reginald Grimmett, by his
construction work, caused silt to accumulate in the pond owned
by the Plaintiffs, William D. Smith and Kerry L. Smith?
The jury answered “no” to each question, returning a verdict in favor of Mr. Grimmett and
never reaching the issue of damages. Thereafter, the Smiths filed their motion for a new
trial, arguing the jury’s verdict was against the weight of the evidence and clearly wrong.
The circuit court granted the motion in its September 23, 2014, order, and this appeal
followed.
II. Standard of Review
Rule 59 of the West Virginia Rules of Civil Procedure authorizes a circuit court
to grant a new trial “to all or any of the parties and on all or part of the issues (1) in an action
in which there has been a trial by jury, for any of the reasons for which new trials have
heretofore been granted in actions at law[.]” Consequently,
[a] motion for a new trial is governed by a different
standard than a motion for [judgment as a matter of law]. When
a trial judge vacates a jury verdict and awards a new trial
pursuant to Rule 59 of the West Virginia Rules of Civil
Procedure, the trial judge has the authority to weigh the
8
evidence and consider the credibility of the witnesses. If the
trial judge finds the verdict is against the clear weight of the
evidence, is based on false evidence or will result in a
miscarriage of justice, the trial judge may set aside the verdict,
even if supported by substantial evidence, and grant a new trial.
A trial judge’s decision to award a new trial is not subject to
appellate review unless the trial judge abuses his or her
discretion.
Syl. Pt. 3, In re State Pub. Bldg. Asbestos Litig., 193 W.Va. 119, 454 S.E.2d 413 (1994).
Recognizing appellate review of a decision granting a new trial is very limited, this Court has
explained:
“‘The ruling of a trial court in granting or denying a
motion for a new trial is entitled to great respect and weight,
[and] the trial court’s ruling will be reversed on appeal [only]
when it is clear that the trial court has acted under some
misapprehension of the law or the evidence.’ Syl. pt. 4, in part,
Sanders v. Georgia-Pacific Corp., 159 W.Va. 621, 225 S.E.2d
218 (1976).” Syllabus point 2, Estep v. Mike Ferrell Ford
Lincoln-Mercury, Inc., 223 W.Va. 209, 672 S.E.2d 345 (2008).
Syl. Pt. 2, CSX Transp., Inc. v. Smith, 229 W.Va. 316, 729 S.E.2d 151, (2012). In other
words, while the decision to grant a new trial is afforded great deference, “when a trial court
abuses its discretion and grants a new trial on an erroneous view of the law, a clearly
erroneous assessment of the evidence, or on error that had no appreciable effect on the
outcome, it is this Court’s duty to reverse.” Tennant v. Marion Health Care Found., Inc.,
194 W.Va. 97, 106, 459 S.E.2d 374, 383 (1995). With this standard in mind, we consider
the parties’ arguments.
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III. Discussion
In this case, there has been no allegation that the jury was not properly
instructed, nor has any other error in the presentation of evidence been asserted. The dispute
in this case centers solely upon the jury’s assessment of the conflicting evidence that was
presented at trial. Mr. Grimmett maintains that sufficient evidence was presented to support
the jury’s verdict. Conversely, the Smiths argue that the weight of the evidence required a
decision in their favor.
“We have consistently held that the function of the jury is to weigh the
evidence with which it is presented and to arrive at a conclusion regarding damages and
liability.” Shiel v. Ryu, 203 W.Va. 40, 46, 506 S.E.2d 77, 83 (1998). Indeed, a firmly-
established principle of our jurisprudence is: “Where, in the trial of an action at law before
a jury, the evidence is conflicting, it is the province of the jury to resolve the conflict, and its
verdict thereon will not be disturbed unless believed to be plainly wrong.” Syl. Pt. 2, French
v. Sinkford, 132 W.Va. 66, 54 S.E.2d 38 (1948). Elaborating further in syllabus point two
of Skeen v. C and G Corp., 155 W.Va 547, 185 S.E.2d 493 (1971), this Court stated: “[i]t is
the peculiar and exclusive province of a jury to weigh the evidence and to resolve questions
of fact when the testimony of witnesses regarding them is conflicting and the finding of the
jury upon such facts will not ordinarily be disturbed.”
10
In McNeely v. Frich, 187 W.Va. 26, 415 S.E.2d 267 (1992), a medical
malpractice case in which this Court reinstated a jury verdict in favor of the defendant doctor,
we observed:
An essential element of our judicial system is the right of
a party, in most cases, to request a jury of his or her peers to
render a verdict based upon the evidence and testimony
presented. Because of the jury’s unique ability to see the
evidence and judge the demeanor of the witnesses on an
impartial basis, a jury verdict is accorded great deference. It is
the province of the jury to weigh the testimony and to resolve
questions of fact when the testimony conflicts[.]
Id. at 29, 415 S.E.2d at 270. Accordingly, we have long held: “When a case involving
conflicting testimony and circumstances has been fairly tried, under proper instructions, the
verdict of the jury will not be set aside unless plainly contrary to the weight of the evidence
or without sufficient evidence to support it.” Syl. Pt. 4, Laslo v. Griffith, 143 W.Va. 469,
102 S.E.2d 894 (1958). Therefore, “[w]hile syllabus point three of Asbestos Litigation
authorizes a trial court to weigh the evidence in the context of granting a new trial, such
authorization does not obviate the essential role of the jury in resolving conflicting
evidence.” Shiel, 203 W.Va. at 46, 506 S.E.2d at 83.
In syllabus point five of Orr v. Crowder, 173 W.Va. 335, 315 S.E.2d 593
(1983), this Court set forth the methodology for assessing a jury’s verdict:
In determining whether there is sufficient evidence to
support a jury verdict the court should: (1) consider the
evidence most favorable to the prevailing party; (2) assume that
11
all conflicts in the evidence were resolved by the jury in favor
of the prevailing party; (3) assume as proved all facts which the
prevailing party’s evidence tends to prove; and (4) give to the
prevailing party the benefit of all favorable inferences which
reasonably may be drawn from the facts proved.
We have further explained,
When examining the record for the sufficiency of
evidence to support the verdict, we view the evidence in the
light most favorable to the prevailing party. We are not
concerned with how we might decide the facts in the jury's
stead, nor does our review favor the inferences and conflicts in
the evidence helpful to the losing party.
Dodrill v. Nationwide Mut. Ins. Co., 201 W.Va. 1, 11, 491 S.E.2d 1, 11 (1996).
The record presented to us reflects that this case was fairly tried. The jury was
presented with a voluminous amount of photographs and videos of the subject properties
along with three days of testimony. The witnesses were vigorously cross-examined by the
opposing party, and the jury was clearly instructed by the court. Viewing the evidence in
the light most favorable to Mr. Grimmett, the record shows the jury heard testimony that the
Smiths’ pond is located at the lowest point in the neighborhood and runoff from surrounding
properties, in addition to Mr. Grimmett’s, flows across the Smiths’ land into their pond.
Although the Smiths primarily sought damages for the removal of sediment from their pond,
they never presented the jury with evidence establishing how much, if any, sediment
accumulated in the pond as a result of Mr. Grimmett’s development of his property. In that
regard, Mr. Smith and his witness, Terry Smith, both testified the depth of the pond had
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never been measured. While the jury was shown photographs and videos depicting a muddy
pond, they were also presented with testimony and video of clear water with lily pads.
Having carefully considered record in this case, we reach the same decision as the McNeely
court:
After reviewing all reasonable and legitimate inferences
in the defendant’s favor, we cannot conclude, as the trial court
did, that the jury verdict for the defendant was “contrary to all
credible evidence in this case.” By affirming the trial judge’s
order setting aside the verdict in this case, we would be
permitting the judge to intrude upon the exclusive province of
the jury to weigh and decide questions of fact. We refuse to
permit this intrusion where the facts do not warrant such an
action.
McNeely, 187 W.Va. at 30, 415 S.E.2d at 271.7
7
We note the September 23, 2014, order did not set forth the circuit court’s basis for
concluding the jury erred in its assessment of the evidence. The one-page order merely states
the court found “the verdict returned by the jury before whom the issues were tried was
against the clear weight of the evidence presented, is clearly wrong and will result in
miscarriage of justice if allowed to stand.” The importance of a thorough and detailed order
cannot be overstated. As we have previously explained,
Appellate courts, on review, rely heavily on the trial
judge’s order; the order is extremely important. The order often
assists appellate courts in understanding what the trial court did
and why, and good orders often rebut allegations made by
appealing parties in briefs and arguments. If the lower tribunal
is interested in having its decision affirmed, then the lower court
should assist the appellate courts by providing comprehensive,
well-reasoned orders. Submission of a comprehensive order
assists an appellate court in finding a way to affirm the lower
court’s order.
P.T.P., IV by P.T.P., III v. Bd. of Educ., 200 W.Va. 61, 65, 488 S.E.2d 61, 65 (1997).
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IV. Conclusion
For the reasons set forth above, the September 23, 2014, order of the Circuit
Court of Wood County is reversed, and this case is remanded for entry of an order reinstating
the jury’s verdict.
Reversed and remanded.
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