Title: Carrieri v. Bush

State: washington

Issuer: Washington Supreme Court

Document:

69 Wn.2d 536 (1966) 419 P.2d 132 JAMES J. CARRIERI, Appellant, v. ARNOLD J. BUSH et al., Respondents.[*] No. 38071. The Supreme Court of Washington, Department Two. October 13, 1966. *538 Stephen S. Bassett and Bassett, Donaldson & Hafer, for appellant. Burns & Schneiderman and Barry Alan Schneiderman, for respondents. HAMILTON, J. Appellant husband, James J. Carrieri, brought this action for alienation of affections against respondents Arnold J. Bush, Ralph E. Derkland, Michael Panteleeff, Norman Baxter and their wives. Trial was commenced before a jury. At the conclusion of appellant's case, the trial court granted respondents' challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence. This appeal followed. We reverse and remand the alienation of affections claim for trial. [1] In evaluating the evidence adduced by appellant, it is axiomatic that [2] Furthermore, in a case tried before a jury, no element of discretion is involved in the consideration of a challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence or a motion for nonsuit at the conclusion of a party's evidence. Such a challenge or motion can be granted only when the court can say, as a matter of law, that there is no substantial evidence to support the nonmovant's claim. Messina v. Rhodes Co., 67 Wn.2d 19, 406 P.2d 312 (1965); Hall v. Puget Sound Bridge & Dry Dock Co., 66 Wn.2d 442, 403 P.2d 41 (1965). *539 Briefly, the salient features of appellant's evidence, as it stood at the time of the respondents' challenge, can be stated as follows: Respondent Bush, at all times concerned, was the pastor and leader of an unidentified religious sect. Respondents Derkland, Panteleeff and Baxter were the elders, who, with the pastor, determined and approved the policy and conduct of the order. Appellant and his wife, Inga, were married in April, 1953. Concerning this union, appellant testified: In the latter part of 1956 or the early part of 1957, appellant and his wife moved to an area where respondent Bush was starting a church. They decided to attend the new church. After a short while, appellant ceased his attendance because he "couldn't quite agree with his [Bush's] style of preaching." Mrs. Carrieri, however, continued to attend, gradually devoting more and more of her time to the activities of the church. This precipitated a change in the familial attitude, described by appellant as follows: Becoming concerned with developments, appellant approached *540 Pastor Bush, and, according to appellant, the following conversation occurred: Following this event, appellant testified: Respondents transported Mrs. Carrieri to and from her activities with them. One evening, at about 11:30 p.m., when Pastor Bush brought Mrs. Carrieri and the children home from a day's activities, appellant confronted the pastor. In appellant's words, the following exchange took place: Thereafter, the marital breach broadened and appellant enlisted the aid of the minister who performed his marriage ceremony in the hope of bringing about a reconciliation. As a result, Mrs. Carrieri determined that, for the sake of her family, she would terminate her association with the sect. She insisted, however, on advising Pastor Bush of her decision. Appellant and his wife then went to the pastor's home to accomplish this mission. After Mrs. Carrieri stated her intentions, the following occurred (according to appellant): The upshot of this interview was described by appellant as follows: Against appellant's wishes, Mrs. Carrieri's participation in the group's activities continued and increased. She attended meetings where it was avowed by the leadership that there were several homes in the church that should be broken up, and that the sooner this took place the better the church would be, accompanied by statements that death would pursue those who did not adhere to the church discipline. On one occasion, Mrs. Carrieri moved out of the family home and respondents concealed her whereabouts for a period of time. On another occasion, appellant testified he overheard the Baxters advising Mrs. Carrieri to divorce him. Appellant initiated this action for alienation of his wife's affections, and Mrs. Carrieri commenced divorce proceedings. In April, 1964, a divorce was granted, and thereafter appellant's alienation of affections action came to the conclusion heretofore indicated. [3] Alienation of affections has been characterized as an intentional tort. Miller v. Gruenwald, 65 Wn.2d 186, 396 P.2d 554 (1964); Lankford v. Tombari, 35 Wn.2d 412, 213 P.2d 627, 19 A.L.R.2d 462 (1950). Basically, to establish a prima facie cause of action for alienation of affections, a complaining spouse must show (1) an existing marriage relation; (2) a wrongful interference with the relationship by a third person; (3) a loss of affection or consortium; and (4) a causal connection between the third party's conduct and the loss. Restatement, Torts § 683 (1938) and comments; 27 Am. Jur. Husband and Wife § 523 (1940); 42 C.J.S. Husband and Wife §§ 662-665, 669 (1944); Prosser, Torts § 118 (3d ed. 1964); 1 Harper & James, Torts § 8.3 (1956). See also, Annot. 19 A.L.R.2d 471 (1950). [4] Although the tort may be designated as intentional in nature, the alleged tort-feasor's intent or purpose does not have to be established by evidence independent of his conduct. This is so because conduct may infer intent, for, in the eyes of the law, a person intends the natural and *543 probable consequences of his voluntary acts. Miller v. Gruenwald, supra; Boyle v. Clark, 47 Wn.2d 418, 287 P.2d 1006 (1955); Lankford v. Tombari, supra. [5] To render the conduct wrongful, however, and thus satisfy the second element listed above, it must appear from the evidence that the alleged tort-feasor engaged in some kind of affirmative action, as opposed to inaction, the very design of which was to accomplish an alienation or diversion of the affections of the plaintiff's spouse. It is not necessary that the tort-feasor be motivated by spite or malice, or that adultery or improper relations accompany the alienating conduct. Conduct, without justification or excuse, coupled with a purpose or design to adversely affect the mental attitude of one spouse to the detriment of the other is the keystone of a wrongful interference with a marital relationship. Lankford v. Tombari, supra; Allard v. LaPlain, 147 Wash. 497, 266 Pac. 688 (1928); Restatement, Torts § 683 (1938); Prosser, Torts § 118 (3d ed. 1964); 1 Harper & James, Torts, § 8.3 (1956). [6] It is within the context of the defense of justification and excuse that a parent, near relative or one standing in a professional or semiprofessional relationship to a marital partner may be clothed with a qualified privilege to reasonably and in good faith intervene in the domestic affairs of a married couple. This privilege, however, where it appears, may be overcome by evidence that the interference in the marital affairs was prompted by malice or ill will; accompanied by falsehoods; implemented by threats; utilized recklessly; or motivated by an unlawful, immoral or improper purpose. Stanley v. Stanley, 27 Wash. 570, 68 Pac. 187 (1902); Restatement, Torts § 686 (1938); Prosser, Torts § 118 (3d ed. 1964); 1 Harper & James, Torts § 8.4 (1956). An intermeddling stranger, on the other hand, can claim no privilege to invade the domestic circle. He intervenes at his peril, and bears the burden of otherwise justifying or excusing his action. Stanley v. Stanley, supra; Allard v. LaPlain, supra. [7-9] The third element of the tort listed above loss of affection or consortium concerns itself principally with *544 the diminution, diversion, or alienation of the love, society, companionship, aid, and/or comfort of the alienated spouse. Absent a showing of adulterous conduct, this may ordinarily be demonstrated by substantial evidence of any statement, behavior, conduct, or attitude on the part of the alienated spouse from which a loss or impairment of conjugal attachment can reasonably be inferred. A defense showing of lack of conjugal affection at the time of the alleged alienation goes only to mitigation of damages. Such a showing does not constitute a bar to the action. Morris v. Warwick, 42 Wash. 480, 85 Pac. 42 (1906). Damages flowing from an alienation of conjugal affection are incapable of mathematical calculation and present a jury question. Boyle v. Clark, supra. [10] The fourth element causal relationship between the third party's conduct and the loss of affection or consortium is satisfied by the introduction of substantial evidence that the conduct of the asserted tort-feasor aided in causing the alienation. It is not necessary that it be the sole cause, but merely that it be a causal factor. Swearingen v. Vik, 51 Wn.2d 843, 322 P.2d 876 (1958); Lankford v. Tombari, supra; Annot. 19 A.L.R.2d 471, 500 (1950). [11] Finally, the law recognizes the right of discordant spouses to become reconciled, and one who interferes with that right can be subjected to liability in a suit for alienation of affections. Miller v. Gruenwald, supra; Swearingen v. Vik, supra; Morris v. Warwick, supra. Accepting appellant's evidence in the favorable light required, and casting it against the backdrop of the foregoing concepts, we are satisfied appellant presented a prima facie case against respondents. Respondents, however, impliedly urge, and the trial court in effect conferred upon them, an absolute privilege to interfere in appellant's marriage upon religious grounds. [12] There is no question that our state constitution protects the free exercise of religious beliefs (Const. art. 1, § 11 (amendment 34)), and neither a religious belief nor the lack of such belief is, of itself, grounds for divorce. Donaldson v. Donaldson, 38 Wn.2d 748, 231 P.2d 607, 25 *545 A.L.R.2d 919 (1951). But, one does not, under the guise of exercising religious beliefs, acquire a license to wrongfully interfere with familial relationships. Good faith and reasonable conduct are the necessary touchstones to any qualified privilege that may arise from any invited and religiously directed family counseling, assistance, or advice. Ill will, intimidation, threats, or reckless recommendations of family separation directed toward alienating the spouses, where found to exist, nullify the privilege and project liability. Hughes v. Holman, 110 Ore. 415, 223 Pac. 730, 31 A.L.R. 1108 (1924); Mohn v. Tingley, 191 Cal. 470, 217 Pac. 733 (1923); Restatement, Torts § 686 (1938). Thus, where, as here, appellant's evidence, if accepted as true, demonstrates a course of conduct designed to and which does alienate the affections of the opposite spouse, a prima facie case of alienation of affections is made out, notwithstanding the acts complained of may have been committed in the guise of religious teachings. Hughes v. Holman, supra. The trial court's order dismissing appellant's case at the conclusion of his evidence is accordingly reversed. ROSELLINI, C.J., DONWORTH, FINLEY, and WEAVER, JJ., concur. December 8, 1966. Petition for rehearing denied. [*] Reported in 419 P.2d 132.