Case Title: Dickerson Const. Co., Inc. v. Dozier

Citation: 584 S.W.2d 36

Docket Number: 79-4

State: arkansas

Court: Arkansas Supreme Court

Date: 1979-07-09T00:00:00Z

Document:
584 S.W.2d 36 (1979) DICKERSON CONSTRUCTION CO., INC., Appellant, v. John DOZIER, Appellee. No. 79-4. Supreme Court of Arkansas, Division 2. July 9, 1979. *38 N. M. Norton, Forrest City, for appellant. Daggett, Daggett & VanDover, Marianna, for appellee. FOGLEMAN, Justice. During the performance of a contract for highway repairs, the appellant, Dickerson Construction Company, Inc., constructed an earthen dam or "haul road" across a drainage ditch adjoining the appellee's property. The purpose of this "haul road" was to allow the appellant's equipment to traverse the ditch. During the period from Friday afternoon, July 8, 1977, to Sunday afternoon, July 10, 1977, a substantial rainfall occurred and this road acted as a dam, causing water to back up in the ditch, ultimately resulting in the inundation of approximately 190 acres of the appellee's land in varying depths. The water began receding Sunday afternoon, after the dam was cut, and receded totally sometime thereafter. There was a soybean crop on the flooded land. It had been planted approximately June 1, 1977 and had reached a state of growth described as "knee-high." The appellee, John Dozier, filed suit against the appellant and sought to establish that the yield of his soybean crop had been significantly reduced by the flooding of the 190 acres, caused by the negligence of the appellant. The appellant's motion for a directed verdict at the conclusion of all the evidence was denied and the jury returned a verdict for the appellee in the amount of $11,500.00. The appellant's subsequent motions for a mistrial and for a new trial were denied and this appeal followed. The appellant alleges the following two points for reversal: The second point has merit and requires that the case be reversed and remanded for a new trial. Although not necessary for our disposition of this case, the issue of the measure of damages must be discussed, because the same question will almost certainly arise on retrial. Even though we are reversing the judgment on another point, we will treat *39 them in the order they were stated, because the background pertains to both points. Appellee maintained records of the 1977 production of his farm and from those records sought to establish an average reduction in the bushels per acre production of the 190 acres which had been affected. One of these average reductions was based on a comparison to the production on the remainder of the farm as a whole, while the second was based on a comparison to the production achieved on a 55 acre bottomland field, which the appellee testified was more fertile than hillside land and was the type of land most comparable to that flooded. By multiplying that result by the net price per bushel of soybeans (stipulated price of $5.50, less the $.10 per bushel hauling fee), the appellee arrived at the monetary damages allegedly suffered. Use of the 55 acre comparison resulted in damages of $15,708.06, while use of the other figure resulted in damages of $9,695.70. These computations were placed on charts by the appellee's attorneys, with the higher figure on chart 1 and the lower on chart 2. Although neither was introduced into evidence, chart 1 was used during direct examination of the appellee and during closing argument by the appellee's attorney. At the close of all the evidence, the appellant moved for a directed verdict, alleging that the proper measure of damages was the rental value of the land that was affected and that, since there had been no evidence of such rental value, there was no basis for a recovery by the appellee. This motion was denied. The appellant objected to the court's instruction on the measure of damages, contending that rental value of the land was the only proper measure of damages. The instruction read as follows: The appellant contends that the appellee's soybeans had not reached a sufficient stage of growth to have a value and that in the absence of such proof, the correct measure of damages would be the rental value of the property, citing Adams v. Adams, 228 Ark. 741, 310 S.W.2d 813. The appellant places a great deal of reliance on the following testimony of J. O. Hill, the County Agent of Lee County, who had observed the acreage in question from the air on July 11, and who had made an inspection of the area on October 28, prior to harvesting: We feel that the appellant's reliance on Adams v. Adams, supra, is misplaced because there was no evidence presented in that case that the crops involved had reached a stage of maturity sufficient either to have a market value or allow a *40 reasonably certain estimate of the projected production. In light of testimony elicited from Mr. Hill during questioning by the appellee's attorney, we find this case to be distinguishable from Adams. In Fa/res v. Dupree, 210 Ark. 797, 197 S.W.2d 735, although we found that the plaintiff was not entitled to an award for damages to crops because there was just a vague suggestion that financial loss had occurred and there was no evidence presented that the crop had even been planted, we said: Although the testimony of Mr. Hill could be considered equivocal, we cannot say that there was no substantial evidence that the beans had reached a state where a reasonable estimate could be made of the expected production. A close parallel can be drawn between the facts in this case and those present in Crumbley v. Guthrie, 207 Ark. 875, 183 S.W.2d 47, cited in Faires v. Dupree, supra. In that case, cattle owned by the defendant had been permitted to run at large in the plaintiff's strawberry patch, resulting in a drastic decrease in expected yield. The damage to the strawberries occurred before the fruit had matured. We affirmed the award of damages, stating that "there is proof that sufficient progress had been made to promise a production much greater than that realized had the trespass not occurred," relying on testimony from appraisers that from the appearance of the plants they were able to make a fairly accurate estimate of what the actual loss had been. The actual value of a crop at the time of its destruction is to be ascertained from consideration of the circumstances existing at the time of its destruction, as well as at any time before trial, favoring or rendering doubtful the conclusion that it would attain to a more valuable condition and from consideration of the hazards and expenses incident to the process of supposed growth or appreciation. St. Louis, I. M. & S. Ry. Co. v. Hoshall, 82 Ark. 387, 102 S.W. 207. The rule is the same as to a crop *41 damaged, if the jury believes that otherwise it would have matured, except that the costs of gathering and marketing must also be deducted. Missouri Pac. R. Co. v. Nichols, 170 Ark. 1194, 279 S.W. 354. The jury is permitted to find the actual value of the crop at the time it was damaged by considering its probable value at maturity, less the difference between the cost of production based on a full or probable crop, and to deduct from such production the cost thereof. W. B. Bynum Cooperage Co. v. Coulter, 219 Ark. 818, 244 S.W.2d 955. See AMI, Civil, 2225. While the damages recoverable cannot exceed the actual value of the crops at the date of the injury to them, plus legal interest, the jury, in arriving at that value, should consider the probable value at maturity, if they believe from the evidence that the crops would have matured, but for the actions of defendant. Railway Co. v. Lyman, 57 Ark. 512, 22 S.W. 170; Missouri Pac. R. Co. v. Nichols, supra. Whether the soybeans had matured sufficiently to have a market value or to be susceptible to a reasonable estimate of the expected production at the time of the flooding of the appellee's land thus became a question for the jury and unless reasonable minds could not differ on the question, the trial judge did not err in refusing to grant the appellant's motion for a directed verdict. In the determination of whether there is substantial evidence to preclude the direction of a verdict, the judge must view the testimony and all reasonable inferences in the light most favorable to the party against whom the verdict is sought. Wheeless v. Eudora Bank, 256 Ark. 644, 509 S.W.2d 532; Huffman Wholesale Supply Co. v. Terry, 240 Ark. 399, 399 S.W.2d 658; Page v. Boyd-Bilt, Inc., 246 Ark. 352, 438 S.W.2d 307. When we view the evidence in the light most favorable to the appellee, and draw all reasonable inferences therefrom, we cannot say that the trial judge erred in denying the appellant's motion for a directed verdict at the conclusion of all the evidence. Because the question of the maturity of the crop was for the jury, the appellant is correct in its contention that the binding instruction as to the measure of damages was erroneous. If the jury found that the crops were not sufficiently mature, then the measure of damages would be the rental value of the land. Faires v. Dupree, supra. Appellant objected to the instruction given merely on the basis that the wrong measure of damages was stated and by offering an alternate instruction that damages would be limited to the rental value of the land overflowed. This instruction was as defective as the one given. Neither recognized that there was an issue of fact which controlled the measure of damages. If the jury had found that the crop had reached that level of maturity that would justify a finding that it could be said that a stated production would result, then the measure of damages would have been the difference in the value of the crop that would have been produced and that actually produced, taking into account any difference in the cost of production. If the jury found otherwise, then the measure of damages was the rental value of the land. A proper objection to a jury instruction must specify a correct ground and give the trial judge an opportunity to instruct the jury properly, and an objection lacking sufficient specificity is not sufficient. Baughman v. State, 265 Ark. ___, 582 S.W.2d 4. Since the alternate instruction offered was not a correct instruction, the objection was not sufficient to justify reversal. After the instructions were given, the jury retired to deliberate on the verdict. Sometime thereafter, a member of the jury requested of Deputy Sheriff Robert Guynes, who had taken the jury to the jury room, that he bring "the chart that was used with the beans" into the jury room. Guynes entered the courtroom, approached the appellee's attorneys, who were seated at the counsel table, and informed them of the *42 juror's request. Guynes was given chart 1, containing the higher damage figures, which he delivered to the juror who had made the request. The jury returned its verdict approximately ten minutes later. Neither the trial judge nor the appellant's attorneys were present when this transpired and they were not aware of either the request made by the juror or Deputy Guynes' actions. After learning what had occurred, the attorneys for the appellant moved for a mistrial. A hearing was held in which Deputy Guynes testified and the attorneys for both parties made statements. The motion was denied, the judge stating that he did not see any relation between the amount of damages on the chart and the verdict and that he felt it would have been proper to allow the jurors to enter the courtroom and observe the same figures displayed on a blackboard. A motion for a new trial on the same ground was also denied, after a hearing. It is conceded that all parties concerned acted in complete good faith. The trial judge stated that, in all probability, he would have granted a request by the jury for the chart. Whether to allow the jury to have access to documents introduced into evidence, jury instructions or any other item or information, lies within the wide latitude of discretion vested in the trial judge. Rose v. King, 170 Ark. 209, 279 S.W. 373; Dodwell v. Mound City Sawmill Co., 90 Ark. 287, 119 S.W. 262, and the action of the trial judge will not be overturned unless there has been a manifest abuse of that discretion. Gardner v. State, 263 Ark. 739, 569 S.W.2d 74, and cases cited therein. The trial judge is also vested with a considerable latitude of discretion in acting on a motion for mistrial or a motion for a new trial, and his exercise of that discretion will not be reversed in the absence of manifest abuse. Henslee v. Kennedy, 262 Ark. 198, 555 S.W.2d 937; General Motors Corp. v. Tate, 257 Ark. 347, 516 S.W.2d 602; Security Ins. Co. v. Owen, 255 Ark. 526, 501 S.W.2d 229; Back v. Duncan, 246 Ark. 494, 438 S.W.2d 690. The procedure to be followed when a jury, which has retired for deliberation, requests additional information or clarification of some point is established by Ark. Stat.Ann. § 27-1734 (Repl.1962). The statute reads: An identical procedure to be followed in criminal trials has been held to be mandatory. Ark.Stat.Ann. § 43-2139 (Repl.1977); Williams v. State, 264 Ark.___, 568 S.W.2d 30 (1978).Golf v. State, 261 Ark. 885, 552 S.W.2d 236; Jackson v. State, 256 Ark. 406, 507 S.W.2d 705. The considerations in those cases are just as relevant in this case. The appellant's attorneys had no opportunity to object to the jury receiving a chart which, in essence, summarized the appellee's closing argument relating to damages. There was no opportunity for the appellant's attorneys to request that an instruction be given which would limit the effect of the chart upon the jury's deliberation or remind the jury that the chart was not evidence. The fact that the chart had not been admitted into evidence is itself of no small significance. Ark.Stat.Ann. § 43-2138 (Repl.1977) provides: "[u]pon retiring for deliberation, the jury may take with them all papers which have been received as evidence in the cause." We decline, however, to hold that allowing the jury to have access to something which has not been admitted into evidence will necessarily, without more, constitute an abuse of discretion. Other jurisdictions prohibit the jury access to anything which has not been introduced into evidence. See Lyon v. Bush, 49 Haw. 116, 412 P.2d 662 (1966); Keeney v. Commonwealth, 345 S.W.2d 481 (Ky., 1961); Newburgh Urban Renewal Agency v. Williams, 79 Misc.2d 991, 361 N.Y.S.2d 842 (1974); Gertz v. Bass, 59 Ill.App.2d 180, 208 *43 N.E.2d 113 (1965). Although the amount of time spent in deliberations is not in and of itself indicative of possible prejudice or lack of fair trial, the fact that the jury returned its verdict only ten minutes after receiving the chart, is a factor to consider in a determination of whether the appellant's cause may have been prejudiced. Although it dealt with a criminal trial in which the jury foreman asked the bailiff if the fact that one of the jurors was acquainted with the primary prosecution witness would have any bearing on the deliberations of the jury, some of the language in Williams v. State, supra, is particularly pertinent to this case: In light of the facts of this case as set out in this opinion, we cannot say that the lack of prejudice to the appellant was manifest, because appellant had no opportunity to object or to ask the court to give the jury a cautionary instruction. Because of this, we find that the trial judge abused his discretion in denying the appellant's motions for a mistrial and a new trial. The judgment is reversed and the cause remanded for a new trial. We agree. HARRIS, C. J., and HOLT and PURTLE, JJ.