[Cite as Crawford v. Foster, 2016-Ohio-625.]
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO FOURTH APPELLATE DISTRICT WASHINGTON COUNTY
DARRELL L. CRAWFORD, et al., : : Case No. 15CA15 Plaintiffs-Appellants, : : vs. : DECISION AND JUDGMENT : ENTRY WAID K. FOSTER, et al., : : Defendants-Appellees. : Released: 02/10/16 ____________________________________________________________ APPEARANCES:
John M. Halliday, Marietta, Ohio, for Appellants.
Matthew P. Mullen, Krugliak, Wilkins, Griffiths & Dougherty Co., L.P.A., New Philadelphia, Ohio, for Appellees. _____________________________________________________________
McFarland, J.
{¶1} Darrell L. Crawford (hereinafter “Crawford”) appeals the March
19, 2015 judgment entry of the Washington County Court of Common
Pleas, General Division, which granted the Motion for Summary Judgment
filed by Appellee Waid K. Foster (hereinafter “Foster”). Crawford sets forth
three assignments of error which all relate to the merits of an action he
previously brought against his neighbor Foster in the Marietta Municipal
Court, Small Claims Division. Upon our review of the record, we find
Crawford’s arguments are barred by application of the doctrine of res Washington App. No. 15CA15 2
judicata. As such, we decline to consider them and affirm the judgment of
the trial court.
FACTS
{¶2} The pleading docket in this case reflects that Crawford and his
spouse filed a complaint against Foster and his spouse on November 14,
2014 in the Washington County Court of Common Pleas for trespass,
damages as a result of the alleged trespass, emotional distress due to Mr.
Foster’s alleged trespass, personal injuries, pain and suffering, and loss of
consortium. The Fosters filed a timely answer denying all allegations
contained in the complaint except that the Fosters admitted the parties are
residents of Washington County; that the Crawfords are married and own
property at 103 Schilling Street in Marietta, Ohio; and that the Fosters own
property contiguous to the Crawfords’ property. The Fosters further asserted
additional affirmative defenses, including the doctrine of res judicata.
{¶3} The Fosters served discovery requests. The trial court set the
matter for a case management conference on February 17, 2015. On
February 12, 2015, the Fosters filed a motion for summary judgment arguing
Crawfords’ claims are barred by the doctrine of res judicata.
{¶4} In their motion, the Fosters pointed out the Crawfords had filed a
previous case against them in the Marietta Municipal Court, Small Claims Washington App. No. 15CA15 3
Division. The Fosters argued the Crawfords’ claims against them in the
Common Pleas Court arose from the same transactions or series of
transactions which had been resolved in the prior municipal court case. The
Fosters have referenced the prior municipal court action as “Crawford I.”
{¶5} The Fosters pointed out in both cases the Crawfords argued that
their property adjoining the Fosters’ property had been trespassed upon by
Mr. Foster and that he had removed a fence and fence posts belonging to the
Crawfords. The Fosters also pointed out in both cases, Mr. Crawford
claimed damages to his property and that Mr. Crawford fell, suffering
personal injuries. The common pleas complaint added Mrs. Crawford and
Mrs. Foster as parties. The only new claim in the common pleas complaint
was that Mrs. Crawford asserted a claim for loss of consortium.
{¶6} In the motion for summary judgment, the Fosters concluded that
a previous valid final judgment had been rendered on the Crawfords’ claims
in the municipal court decision. The Fosters attached certified copies of the
Marietta Municipal Court’s Magistrate’s Decision, dated May 28, 2013; the
Objection to Magistrate’s Report filed June 13, 2013; and the Entry of
Orders Upon Report of Magistrate dated December 19, 2013. The Fosters
concluded that the Crawfords’ claims in the common pleas court were
governed by the doctrine of res judicata. The Fosters further argued that Mr. Washington App. No. 15CA15 4
Crawford and his wife were in privity as co-owners of the property and that
the prior decision bound Mrs. Crawford as well. Finally, the Fosters pointed
out Mrs. Crawford’s loss of consortium claim was derivative in nature, and
was dependent on the success of her husband’s personal injury claim which
had failed and was now barred. As such, her consortium claim was also
barred.
{¶7} The Crawfords filed a motion in opposition to the motion for
summary judgment essentially arguing only that application of the doctrine
of res judicata would effectually deny the spouses their day in court. The
Washington County Court of Common Pleas agreed with the Fosters. On
March 11, 2015, the trial court granted the Fosters’ motion for summary
judgment, finding no genuine issues of material fact and that the dispute had
been resolved in the prior adjudication in Marietta Municipal Court. On
March 19, 2015, the court entered its final judgment entry dismissing the
Crawfords’ complaint with prejudice and noting the entry was a final
appealable judgment. We reference the common pleas court case and
decision as “Crawford II.”
{¶8} This timely appeal followed. On April 16, 2015, the Crawfords
also filed a civil docket statement. On May 4, 2015, Mr. Crawford filed a
letter asking it be considered a “formal request for hearing.” By the court of Washington App. No. 15CA15 5
appeals’ magistrate’s order of June 15, 2015, Mr. Crawford was ordered to
file a brief that complied with the appellate rules. On June 8, 2015, Mr.
Crawford filed additional paperwork captioned “New Evidence,” which the
appellate magistrate ordered stricken from the record in its June 15, 2015
entry. On June 24, 2015, the Crawfords filed a motion for extension of time,
which this court granted, and indicated they would be retaining a lawyer to
prepare and file their brief.
{¶9} On July 6, 2015, the Crawfords filed a brief, pro se, containing
three assignments of error and citing one Ohio court decision. On July 24,
2015, the Fosters filed their brief. On August 24, 2015, the Crawfords filed
an “Addendum to Brief of Appellant” which redrafted the initial three
assignments of error, added two more, and cited no case law to support the
Crawfords’ position. On September 29, 2015, Attorney John M. Halliday
filed a notice of appearance as counsel of record for the Crawfords. Also on
that date, the parties’ appellate counsel filed a joint waiver of oral argument.
Where relevant, additional facts will be related below.
ASSIGNMENTS OF ERROR
“I. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN MISCONSTRUING THE LEGAL CONSEQUENCES OF APPELLEES’ TRESPASS ON APPELLANT’S PROPERTY. Washington App. No. 15CA15 6
II. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN NOT ASSESSING DAMAGES FOR APPELLEES’ TRESPASS ON APPELLANT’S PROPERTY.
III. THE TRIAL COURT ERRED IN NOT CONSIDERING THE MAGISTRATE’S CONCURRENCE OF LAW NO. 4 INVOLVING THE QUESTIONABLE CREDIBILITY OF THE DEFENDANT APPELLEE.”
{¶10} In the magistrate’s order of June 15, 2015, we directed the
Crawfords to the guide to self-representation in the court of appeals
available on our court website. Mr. Crawford indicated he agreed with the
court’s strong suggestion in the guide that he retain counsel. However, the
Crawfords’ brief filed July 6, 2015 was pro se. We note: “It is well
established that pro se litigants are held to the same rules, procedures, and
standards as litigants who are represented by counsel, and must accept the
results of their own mistakes and errors.” Cooke v. Bowen, 4th Dist. Scioto
No. 12CA3497, 2013-Ohio-4771, ¶ 40, quoting Selvage v. Emnett, 181 Ohio
App.3d 371, 2009-Ohio-940, 909 NE.2d 143 ¶ 13 (4th Dist.) (Internal
citations omitted.) “Leniency does not mean that we are required ‘to find
substance where none exists, to advance an argument for a pro se litigant or
to address issues not properly raised.’ ” Cooke, supra, quoting State v. Washington App. No. 15CA15 7
Healee, 4th Dist. Washington No. 08CA6, 2009-Ohio-873, ¶ 6, quoting
State v. Nayar, 4th Dist. Lawrence No. 07CA6, 2007-Ohio-6092, ¶ 28.1
{¶11} Here, we find ourselves constrained to review the facts as
gleaned from the limited record and presented in the parties’ appellate briefs.
We are also limited to consideration of the Crawfords’ brief filed July 6,
2015. We cannot construe the Crawfords’ “addendum” as a reply brief,
given it was filed outside of the 10-day requirement under App.R. 18.
STANDARD OF REVIEW
{¶12} Appellate courts conduct a de novo review of trial court
summary judgment decisions. Ogle v. Ohio Power Co., 4th Dist. Hocking
No. 14CA15, 2014-Ohio-1724, ¶ 6. See, Grafton v. Ohio Edison Co., 77
Ohio St.3d 102, 105, 671 N.E.2d 241 (1996). Accordingly, an appellate
court must independently review the record to determine if summary
judgment is appropriate and an appellate court need not defer to the trial
court's decision. See, Brown v. Scioto Bd. of Commrs., 87 Ohio App.3d 704,
1 We observe Mr. Crawford attached to the civil docket a letter and other documents which indicate he could not obtain a transcript of the small claims hearing that he deems necessary for consideration to include within these proceedings. Pursuant to App.R. 9(B), it is the duty of an appellant to include in the appeal a complete transcript of the proceedings that the appellant considers necessary for inclusion. Pursuant to App.R. 9(C), if a transcript is unavailable, the appellant may prepare a statement of the evidence or proceedings from the best available means, including the appellant’s recollection. And, the parties may prepare and sign an agreed statement as to the record on appeal pursuant to App.R. 9(D). We do not see the Crawfords took additional measures available under the appellate rules to supplement the record in any way. In light of our disposition of the instant appeal, the missing transcript may not have been necessary. However, we point out these appellate rules in an effort to underscore what we suggest on the website: that although individuals may self-represent in an appeal, we strongly advise retention of counsel. Washington App. No. 15CA15 8
711, 622 N.E.2d 1153 (1993); Morehead v. Conley, 75 Ohio App.3d 409,
411-412, 599 N.E.2d 786 (1991). Thus, to determine whether a trial court
properly granted a summary judgment motion, an appellate court must
review the Civ.R. 56 summary judgment standards, as well as the applicable
law.
{¶13} Civ.R. 56(C) provides, in relevant part, as follows:
“ * * * Summary judgment shall be rendered forthwith if the pleadings, deposition, answers to interrogatories, written admissions, affidavits, transcripts of evidence in the pending case, and written stipulations of fact, if any, timely filed in the action, show that there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and that the moving party is entitled to judgment as a matter of law. No evidence or stipulation may be considered except as stated in this rule. A summary judgment shall not be rendered unless it appears from the evidence or stipulation, and only from the evidence or stipulation, that reasonable minds can come to but one conclusion and that conclusion is adverse to the party against whom the motion for summary judgment is made, that party being entitled to have the evidence or stipulation construed most strongly in the party's favor.” Ogle, supra, at ¶ 7.
{¶14} Pursuant to Civ.R. 56, a trial court may not award summary
judgment unless the evidence demonstrates that: (1) no genuine issue as to
any material fact remains to be litigated; (2) the moving party is entitled to
judgment as a matter of law; and (3) reasonable minds can come to but one
conclusion, and after viewing such evidence most strongly in favor of the
nonmoving party, that conclusion is adverse to the party against whom the Washington App. No. 15CA15 9
motion for summary judgment is made. Ogle, supra, at ¶ 8. See, Vahila v.
Hall, 77 Ohio St.3d 421, 429-430, 674 N.E.2d 1164 (1997).
LEGAL ANALYSIS
{¶15} Although the Crawfords have appealed the final entry
dismissing their complaint, the final entry followed the common pleas
court’s March 11, 2015 ruling on the Fosters’ motion for summary
judgment. Essentially, the Crawfords’ three assignments of error all relate to
the merits of the municipal court decision regarding the Crawfords’ claims
of trespass and damage. However, we do not reach consideration of the
merits of the assignments of error as we agree with the common pleas
court’s March 11, 2015 ruling. Upon our de novo review of the record, we
find the doctrine of res judicata does apply to bar Appellants’ underlying
claims in the common pleas court and the current appeal.
{¶16} According to the doctrine of res judicata, “a valid, final
judgment rendered upon the merits bars all subsequent actions based upon
any claim arising out of the transaction or occurrence that was the subject
matter of the previous action.” Ross County Bd. of Commrs. v. Roop, 4th
Dist. Ross No. 13CA3369, 2013-Ohio-5926, ¶ 14, quoting Grava v.
Parkman Twp., 73 Ohio St.3d 379, 382, 653 N.E.2d 226 (1995). This Court
noted in Cruse v. Finley, 4th Dist. Lawrence No. 12CA2, 2012-Ohio-5465, Washington App. No. 15CA15 10
¶ 12, that:
“ ‘The party asserting res judicata must show the following four elements: (1) there was a prior valid judgment on the merits; (2) the second action involved the same parties as the first action; (3) the present action raises claims that were or could have been litigated in the prior action; and (4) both actions arise out of the same transaction or occurrence. PNC Bank v. Richards, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 11 AP-275, 2012-Ohio-1610, ¶ 10, quoting Reasoner v. Columbus, 10th Dist. Franklin No. 04AP-800, 2005-Ohio-468, ¶ 5.”
{¶17} The doctrine of res judicata involves both claim preclusion
(also known as estoppel by judgment) and issue preclusion (traditionally
known as collateral estoppel). Roop, supra, at ¶ 14; Grava v. Parkman Twp.
at 380. Both theories of res judicata are used to prevent relitigation of issues
already decided by a court on matters that should have been brought as part
of a previous action. Lasko v. Gen. Motors Corp., 11th Dist. Trumbull No.
2002-T-0143, 2003-Ohio-4103; Dickess v. Stephens, 4th Dist. Lawrence No.
12CA8, 2013-Ohio-1317, ¶ 23. The applicability of res judicata is a
question of law that is subject to de novo review. Altof v. State, 4th Dist.
Gallia No. 04CA16, 2006-Ohio-502, ¶ 13; Dickess v. Stephens, ¶ 22.
{¶18} The magistrate’s decision in the Marietta Municipal Court set
forth the procedural history of the case which demonstrated Mr. Crawford
filed a complaint against Mr. Foster on January 13, 2013 for destruction of
property and trespassing. When the complaint was successfully served, Washington App. No. 15CA15 11
Foster filed a counterclaim alleging intimidation and harassment, trespass,
and “foul-calling language.” The magistrate dismissed the counterclaim
except for the trespass portion. The matter came on for a contested hearing
on March 11, 2013. The magistrate made six (6) findings of fact, which we
have summarized, as follows:
1) Plaintiff and Defendant own contiguous property in Washington County, Ohio. Plaintiff’s chain link fence encroached on Defendant’s property. (See Plaintiff’s survey.)
2) Over the last few years increased tension developed between the neighbors regarding the encroachment. On September 7, 2012 as Plaintiff was returning home from the hospital after recovering from a heart attack, Defendant approached Plaintiff in his driveway and advised he was going to remove the encroaching fence. An argument ensued. Defendant began removing the fence. Plaintiff called the Sheriff.
3) The Deputy arrived. The parties agreed the fence was encroaching and Plaintiff’s brother-in-law worked with Defendant to tear down the fence. Defendant removed the fence posts and concrete footings with his tractor. Plaintiff claimed damages for ruts caused by the tractor. Defendant testified the tractor was not on Plaintiff’s property.
4) Defendant first testified he didn’t take the fence down. Then he admitted on cross-examination he participated.
5) Plaintiff sought to recover the cost of the fence and repair to his yard.
6) Plaintiff testified he injured himself in a fall on October 29, 2012 when he tripped over a concrete footing which had been removed. He claimed injury and sought reimbursement for Tylenol purchase for headaches. Washington App. No. 15CA15 12
The magistrate concluded that:
1) Appellee was entitled by law to remove the encroachment on his property;
2) Appellant was not entitled to recover for damage caused by the fence posts and concrete footings;
3) Appellee was not legally responsible for Appellant’s fall over his own fence posts on his own property;
4) Appellee failed to prove Appellant trespassed on his land other than the trespass of the fence; and, Appellee failed to prove damages caused by Appellant.
{¶19} The court ordered judgment for Foster on the original complaint
and judgment for Crawford on the trespass counterclaim. Crawford filed a
timely objection and Foster filed a response to the objection. The municipal
court judge filed an entry and orders upon the report of the magistrate. For
the reasons which follow, our de novo review supports the trial court’s
decision.
1) Crawford I was a valid prior judgment.
{¶20} Mr. Crawford had his day in small claims court. Per Civ.R.
53(D)(3)(b)(i), he filed an objection and Foster filed a response to the
objection. Pursuant to Civ.R. 53(D)(4), the municipal court judge reviewed
the matter and adopted the magistrate’s decision. We have reviewed the
municipal court decision. While we may or may not have made the same
decision, we defer to the judgment of the magistrate who was in the best Washington App. No. 15CA15 13
position to observe the witnesses and weigh credibility. Nolen v. Rase, 4th
Dist. Scioto No. 13CA3536, 2013-Ohio-5680, ¶ 13; Seasons Coal Co. v.
Cleveland, 10 Ohio St.3d 77, 80, 461 N.E.2d 1273 (1984). We discern no
reason that the municipal court’s decision was not a valid final judgment.2
2) The common pleas case involved the same parties as the municipal court case.
{¶21} Attached to the Fosters’ brief are the municipal court pleadings
from Crawford I which demonstrates that the parties are essentially the
same. The Crawfords’ brief concedes this fact in its statement of the case
and statement of facts. The Fosters point out the only difference between
parties in the municipal court and common pleas court cases is the addition
of spouses, and that the spouses are in privity with the previous parties.
{¶22} The concept of privity has been described as “amorphous.”
Price v. Carter Lumber Co., 9th Dist. Summit No. 26243, 2012-Ohio-6109,
¶ 10, quoting Robinson v. Springfield Local School Dist. Bd. of Edn., 9th
Dist. Summit No. 20606, 2002-Ohio-1382, ¶ 10. Kirkhart v. Keiper, 101
Ohio St.3d 377, 2004-Ohio-1496, 805 N.E.2d 1089, ¶ 8, quoting Brown v.
Dayton, 89 Ohio St.3d 245, 248, 730 N.E.2d 958 (2000). Privity may exist
2 But see, Sheehan v. McRedmond, (Nov. 5, 1998), 1998 WL774983,*2 (8th Dist.) (Where contract was void and prior action was not valid, there is no “valid final judgment”); State v. Arledge, 2nd Dist. Montgomery No. 24755, 2012-Ohio- 414, ¶ 12, (Where defendant’s 2008 classification as a Tier III sex offender was pursuant to a statute that the Supreme Court held violated the Ohio Constitution, there was no “valid final judgment”). Washington App. No. 15CA15 14
when a party and another individual “have mutual interests, including the
same desired result.” Carter, supra, at ¶ 10. Preclusion “ ‘applies likewise
to those in privity with the litigants and to those who could have entered the
proceeding but did not avail themselves of the opportunity.’ ” Carter, supra,
at ¶ 12, quoting Howell v. Richardson, 45 Ohio St.3d 365, 367, 544 N.E.2d
878 (1989).
{¶23} In this case, Mrs. Crawford could have joined the municipal
court action and, for some reason, did not. Mr. Crawford asserted the same
claims in both actions and it is reasonable to conclude that Mrs. Crawford
was aware of any claim for loss of consortium when the municipal court
action was commenced and that she should have availed herself of the
opportunity at that time. We discern no reason why we should not consider
the spouses to be in privity with the parties in this matter.
3) The common pleas case involved the same claims as the municipal court case.
{¶24} As set forth above, the doctrine of res judicata involves issue
preclusion. Issue preclusion “will preclude the relitigation of a fact or point
that was actually and directly at issue in a previous proceeding between the
same parties or their privies, and was passed upon and determined by a court
of competent jurisdiction.” Robinson, supra. “It is not enough that a similar
issue * * * was litigated and decided * * *. For collateral estoppel to bar the Washington App. No. 15CA15 15
relitigation of an issue, precisely the same issue must have previously been
litigated and decided.” (Emphasis in original.) Thompson v. Wing, 70 Ohio
St.3d 176, 185, 637 N.E.2d 917 (1994).
“The main legal thread which runs throughout the determination of the applicability of * * * collateral estoppel[ ] is the necessity of a fair opportunity to fully litigate and to be ‘heard’ in the due process sense. Accordingly, an absolute due process prerequisite to the application of collateral estoppel is that the party asserting the preclusion must prove that the identical issue was actually litigated, directly determined, and essential to the judgment in the prior action. Collaterally estopping a party from relitigating an issue previously decided against it violates due process where it could not be foreseen that the issue would subsequently be utilized collaterally, and where the party had little knowledge or incentive to litigate fully and vigorously in the first action due to the procedural and/or factual circumstances presented therein.” (Internal citations omitted.) Goodson v. McDonough Power Equipment, Inc., 2 Ohio St.3d 193, 200-201, 443 N.E.2d 978 (1983). Price, supra, at ¶ 11.
Moreover, “collateral estoppel operates only where all of the parties to the
present proceeding were bound by the prior judgment.” Id. at paragraph one
of the syllabus. Price, supra, at ¶ 11.
{¶25} The pleadings in Crawford I demonstrate Crawford pursued
claims for trespass and damage. The Marietta Municipal Court held a
hearing on March 11, 2013 wherein Crawford testified, in addition to
trespass and damage, that Mr. Foster caused him to fall and injure himself.
In the common pleas complaint, the Crawfords asserted claims for trespass, Washington App. No. 15CA15 16
damage, personal injuries, and pain and suffering. Although Mr. Crawford’s
municipal court complaint did not allege personal injuries and pain and
suffering, the magistrate’s findings indicate he testified to these claims and
the magistrate decided that Foster was not legally responsible for Crawford’s
fall. In this matter, it can be said that precisely the same issues brought in
Crawford II were litigated and decided in Crawford I.3
4) Both actions arise from the same occurrence.
{¶26} The pleadings from Marietta Municipal Court and Washington
County Common Pleas court demonstrate that all Crawfords’ claims arose
from the events which occurred on September 7, 2012 at the parties’
adjoining property.
CONCLUSION
{¶27} For the foregoing reasons, we find the trial court did not err in
its dismissal of the Crawfords’ common pleas court complaint on the basis
of res judicata. As such we decline to consider the merits of Crawfords’
assignments of error. The judgment of the Washington County Common
Pleas Court is hereby affirmed.
3 The only other difference in the common pleas complaint was the inclusion of Mrs. Crawford’s derivative claim for loss of consortium. Because a derivative claim cannot afford greater relief than that relief permitted under a primary claim, a derivative claim fails when the primary claim fails. Mender v. Chauncey, 4th Dist. Athens No. 14CA34, 2015-Ohio-4105, ¶ 31, citing Bowen v. Kil-Kare, Inc., 63 Ohio St.3d 84, 93, 585 N.E.2d 384 (1992). In that Mrs. Crawford’s loss of consortium claim was dependent on the success of Mr. Crawford’s claim for personal injuries, we find the inclusion of the claim in Crawford II to be irrelevant to our analysis here. Washington App. No. 15CA15 17
JUDGMENT AFFIRMED. Washington App. No. 15CA15 18
JUDGMENT ENTRY
It is ordered that the JUDGMENT BE AFFIRMED and that costs be assessed to Appellants.
The Court finds there were reasonable grounds for this appeal.
It is ordered that a special mandate issue out of this Court directing the Washington County Common Pleas Court to carry this judgment into execution.
Any stay previously granted by this Court is hereby terminated as of the date of this entry.
A certified copy of this entry shall constitute the mandate pursuant to Rule 27 of the Rules of Appellate Procedure.
Abele, J. & Hoover, J.: Concur in Judgment and Opinion.
For the Court,
BY: ______________________________ Matthew W. McFarland, Judge
NOTICE TO COUNSEL Pursuant to Local Rule No. 14, this document constitutes a final judgment entry and the time period for further appeal commences from the date of filing with the clerk.