SECOND DI VI SI ON

BA RNES, P. J.

, BOGGS and RI CKM A N, JJ.

N O T IC E : M otions for r e c ons i de r a tion m us t be

ph y sic a l ly r e ce iv ed i n our c le r k ’s offic e w ithin te n

da y s of the da te of de c is ion to be de e m ed tim e ly file d.

http://w w w .ga a ppe a l s .us /r ule s

Septem b er 7, 2016



# I n th e Co u r t o f

A p p eals o f

G eo r g ia

A1 6 A0 88 5

. R. C. A CRES, INC. v

. M O M MIES PROPERTIES,

LLC. et al

.

B A R N E S , Pres i d i n g J ud g e.

Th i s i s t h e s eco n d ap p earan ce o f th i s cas e in v o l v i n g a d i s pu t e as t o t h e l o cat i o n

o f Ap p el l an t R. C. A c r es

, In c.’ s eas em en t o f i n gres s an d eg res s o v er real p ro p ert y

ow n e d by A

ppel l ees Mo m

m i es Pro pert i es

, L LC an d Vi n ay Bo s e (co ll ect i vel y

, the “ M

.

P. d efen d an t s ”). 1 At i s s u e i n t h e p res en t ap peal i s wh et h er t h e t ri al co u rt am en d ed t h e

ju d g m en t t o s p eci fy t h e u l t i m at e l o cat io n o f t he eas em en t i n a m an n er t h at co n fo rm ed

t o t h e ju ry ’ s v erd i ct an d th e ev i d e n c e pres en t ed at t ri al

, as t h i s Co u rt i n th e p ri o r

ap p eal i n s t ru ct ed th e t ri al co urt t o do o n rem an d

. See R.C. Acr es

, In c. v. Ca mb r i d g e

Fa i r e Pr op er t i es , LLC

, 3 3 1 Ga. Ap p . 7 62 , 7 6 9 -7 7 0 (3 ) (7 71 SE2 d 4 4 4 ) (2 0 1 5 ) (“ R.

C. Acr es I

”). Becau s e th e t ri al co u r t a m e n d e d t he ju d g m en t on rem an d i n a m an n er

1 Ap p el l ee F. H. Part n ers

, LLC i s a len d er wi th a s ecu ri t y i n t eres t in t h e p ro p ert y

o wn ed b y M o m m i es Pro p ert i es t h at i n terv en ed i n t h e l aws u i t fo ll o wi ng t h e rem an d

aft er t h e fi rs t ap p eal

.t h at d i d n o t co n fo rm t o t h e reas o n ab l e i n t en d m en t o f t h e ju ry ’ s v erd i ct an d t h e t ri al

ev i d en ce, w e m

us t rev ers e t h e am en d ed ju dg m en t an d rem an d fo r f u rt h er act i o n

co n si s t en t wi t h t h i s o p i ni on

.

W e s u m m ari zed t h e rel ev an t t ri al ev i d en ce i n R. C. Acr es I :

At t ri a l

, R. C. p res en t ed tes t i m on y t hat i t o wn s a p arcel o f

p ro p ert y on t he Ch at tah o o ch ee Ri v er i n Fo rs y t h Co un t y

. T h e p a r c e l i s

l an d lo ck ed

, an d was o ri g i n al l y p art o f a l arg er t ract o f l an d wi t h acces s

t o a n earb y

h ig h way

, o wn ed b y t he Ri v es Co rp o rat i o n (“ Ri v es ”) at t he

t i m e R. C. acq u i red i t s p arcel fro m Ri v es

, b u t lat er d i v i d ed i n t o t wo

t ract s an d co n v ey ed t o o t h ers

. On e t ract was [u l t im at el y ] t ran s ferred t o

[Cam b ri d g e Fai re Pro p ert i es LLC, an d W h i t e Rep ai r & Co n tract i n g Co

.

(co l l ect i v el y

, t h e “ Cam

b ri d g e d efen d an t s ”)] ; t h e o t her was d ev el op ed as

an eq u es t ri an p ro p ert y b y an i n t erm ed i a t e o wn er, Si l v er Creek

Dev el o p m en t

, an d ev en t u al l y t ran s ferred t o M.P. defen d an t s Mo m m i es

Pro p ert i es an d Bo s e.

At t h e t im e o f t he s al e t o R. C. i n 1 9 8 5

, R i ves g ran t ed “ a s ix t y

fo o t wi d e eas em en t wh ich ru n s p aral l el t o t h e so u t h b o u n d ary l i n e” o f

t h e p ro p ert y

. Th e d eed d i d no t d es cri b e t he eas em en t l o cat i o n i n m o re

d et ai l ; i ns t ead

, i t ex p l i ci t l y pro v i d ed : “ a rel o cat ed e as em en t o f i n g res s

an d eg res s wi l l b e o b t ai n ed b et ween t h e p art i es h eret o

, th ei r res p ect iv e

h ei rs an d as s i g n s su b s eq u en t t o t h e d at e o f t h i s co n v ey an ce.” A Ri v es

o ffi ce r t e s t i fi ed th at t h i s ag reem en t was m ad e s o t hat t h e p art i es

i n v o l v ed co u l d l at er ag ree u p o n a m ut u al l y co n ven i en t l o cat i on

.

2A m ajo r i s s u e at t ri al was wh et h er t h e eas em en t was rel o cat ed b y

ag reem en t b et ween th e p art i es o r t h ei r p red eces s o rs i n t i t l e. W h i l e th e

M .P. d efen d an t s co n t en d t h e ev i d en ce s h o wed t hat t h e eas e m e n t w as

n ev er rel o cat ed wi t h res p ect t o t h ei r p ro p ert y

, ci ti n g p o rt i on s o f th e

reco rd

, R. C. po i n t s t o ev i d en ce i n t h e reco rd

, i n cl u d i n g s u rv ey s

, d eed s

,

an d t es t im o n y

, s h o w i n g t h at t h e eas em en t was rel ocat ed by ag reem en t

t o an ex i s t i n g ro ad w ay o n th e p ro p e r t y, k n own as “ W o o d s Ro ad ” o r

“ Ol d W oo d s Ro ad .” Tes t i m o n y was p res en t ed t h at t h i s ro u t e was u s ed

fro m R. C.’ s acq u i s i t i o n o f t h e p ro p ert y i n 1 9 85 u n t i l 2 0 0 5

, b y R. C. an d

o t h ers

, in cl u d i n g a les see o f R. C. wh i ch o p erat ed a m o del ai rp l an e cl u b

o n t h e l an d

, an d t h e Arm

y Co rp s o f En g i n eers

, wh i ch u s ed th e ro ad way

t o acces s a d am rel eas e warn i n g h o rn o n t h e r i v e r

. R. C. p res en ted

s u rv ey s referen ced in t h e v ari o u s deed s wh i c h i d en ti fi ed t hi s ro ad way

as i t s eas em en t. So m e ev i d en ce was al s o p res en t ed to s h o w t h at aft er th e

eq u es t ri an co m

p l ex was d ev el op ed i n 1 9 9 8 b y Si l v er Creek

, a

p red eces s o r in t it l e t o t h e M

. P. d efen d an t s

, a b arn b lo ck ed a p ort i o n o f

t h i s ex i s ti n g ro ad way , an d a g rav el d ri v e was i ns t al l ed aro u n d i t

.

T h e l o cat io n o f t h e eas em en t b ecam e an i ss u e aft er M om m i es

Pro p ert i es p u rch as ed t h e s t ab le p ro p ert y i n 2 0 05 an d bl o ck ed acces s t o

R. C

. ’s p r o p ert y

, i n fo rm in g R. C. b y e-m ai l t hat i t co u ld no l o n g er u s e

t h e ro ad w ay

. R. C. p res en t ed ev i d en ce th at aft er m at t ers reach ed t h i s

i m p as s e, i t b eg an n eg o t i at i o n s wi t h b o t h t h e M

. P

. d efen d an t s an d th e

Cam b ri d g e d efen dan t s t o m o v e t h e eas em en t t o a l o cat io n ag reeab l e t o

al l t h e p art i es

. Tes t i m o ny was p res en ted t h at a l o cat i o n w as ag reed u p o n

,

an d t h at R. C. co n s tru ct ed a ro ad way at i t s e x p e n s e

, referred t o b y th e

3p art i es as t h e “ New Ro ad .” Th is ro ad w ay

, h owev er, was al so b l o ck ed b y

d efen d an t s , an d t h i s act i o n fo l l o wed

.

(Fo o tn o te o m i t t ed .) R. C. Acr es I , 3 3 1 Ga. Ap p. at 7 6 4 -7 6 5 (1 ).

R

. C. fi l ed a co m

p l ai n t seek i n g t o qu i et ti t le t o i t s eas em en t an d fo r d am ag es

fo r i n terferen ce wi t h i t s u s e an d en jo y m en t o f t h e eas em en t

, an d t h e cas e u l t i m at el y

p ro ceed ed t o t ri al ag ai n s t m u l t i p l e d efen d an t s

, i n cl u d in g t h e Cam b ri d g e d efen d an t s

an d t h e M

. P. d efen d an t s

. Th e ju ry t ri al t h at en s u e d w a s bi fu rcat ed

. Th e fi rs t p h as e

o f th e t ri al ad d res sed t h e ori gi n al an d fi n al l o cat i o ns o f t h e eas em en t o v er t h e

d efen d an t s ’ p ro pert i es , an d t h e s eco n d p h as e ad d res s ed wh et her an d t o wh at ex t en t

t h e d efen d an t s i n t erfered wi th R.C.’ s eas em en t ri g h t s

.

As p art o f t h e p rep arat i o n o f t h e s p eci al v erd i ct fo rm fo r t h e fi rs t p h as e o f t h e

t ri al

, t h e t ri al co u r t d e c i d e d t h at t h e ju ry wo ul d b e p ro v i d ed a red act ed p l at o f t h e

d efen d an t s ’ p ro pert i es an d wo u l d b e as k ed t o d raw t he o ri g i n al an d fi n al l o cat i o n s o f

t h e eas em en t o n t h e p l at u s i n g co l o red m ark ers

. W h en th e t r i a l co urt p ro v i d ed t h e

p art i es wi t h i t s p ro p os ed red act ed p l at

, R. C. o b j ect ed t o th e p lat an d t o th e p ro ced u re

p ro p os ed b y t h e t ri al co u rt fo r i d en t i fy i n g t h e o ri gi nal an d f i n a l l o c a t i o n s o f t h e

eas em en t

. R. C. t oo k i s s u e wi t h t h e f a c t t hat t h e red act ed p l at p rep ared b y t h e t ri al

co u rt sh o wed t he o u t li n e o f “ Ol d W o o d s Ro ad ” an d th e so u th ern bo u nd ary l i n e o f t h e

4d efen d an t s ’ p r o p ert i es

, b ut n o t t h e o ut l i n e o f t h e “ New Ro ad ,” wh i ch was an o t h er

p o s s i b l e l o cat i o n o f t h e eas em en t t h at co u l d b e fo u n d b y t h e ju ry

. R. C. arg u ed t h at

[s ] h o u l d t h e ju ry s el ect s o m e p l ace o t h er th an w h at m i g h t cl earl y b e Ol d

W o o d s Ro ad o r m i g h t cl earl y b e t h e s ou t hern b o u nd ary o f t h e pro p ert y

wh en t h ey lo cat e t he eas em en t o n t h e p ro p ert y

, we are a l l g o i n g t o be

l eft to g u es s

. T h ey o b vi o u s l y wo n’ t b e ab l e t o m ak e a s u rv ey wi t h a

co l o red m ark er, an d w e wi l l b e l eft to g u es s wh ere on th e g ro u n d t hat

t h e ju ry i n d icat ed t o l o cat e t h e eas em en t

.

R. C. p ro po s ed t h at t he ju ry i n s t ead b e g i v en a cl ear ch o i ce b et ween a l i m i t ed n u m b er

o f al t ern at i v e l o cat i o n s fo r t h e e a s e m en t b as ed on t h e ev i d en ce an d arg u m en t

p res en t ed b y

t h e p art i es at t ri al

.

Th e M

. P. d efen d an t s res p o n d ed th at t h e red act ed p l at an d t h e p ro ced u re

p ro p os ed b y t h e t ri al co u rt wo u l d res u l t i n t h e i d en t i fi cat i o n o f t h e o ri g i n al an d fi n al

l o cat io n s o f t he eas em en t wi t h s u ffi ci en t cert ai n t y b ecau s e “ [t ] h e Co u rt h as au t h o ri t y

t o i n t erp ret t h e v erd i ct i n co n nect i o n w it h fu t u re p ro ceed in g s.” Th e M .P. d efen d an t s

n o t ed t h at “ i f, fo r ex am

p l e, t h e ju ry were t o

. . . co m e u p wi t h a p at h t h at fo l l ows ev en

r o u g h l y wh ere th e l o cat i o n o f [t h e] n ew ro ad i s ,” t h e co u rt co u ld refer t o o t h e r

s u rv ey s i n t h e reco rd t o i d en ti fy t h e eas em en t i n t en d ed b y t h e ju ry

.

5Th e t ri al co u rt ov erru led R.C.’ s o b j e c t i o n s t o th e red act ed p l at an d t o t h e

p ro ced ure fo r h av i n g t h e ju ry i d en t i fy t h e o ri g i n al an d fi n al l o cat i o n s of t he eas em en t

.

Th e t ri al co u rt co ncl u d ed t h at “ wh erev er

. . . [t h e ju ro rs ] m a r k t h e l o cat i o n o f t h e

eas em en t , t h e Co u rt wi l l b e ab le t o i n t erp ret t h at l o cat i o n ” t o s cal e.

In i t s su bs eq u en t ch arg e t o t h e ju ry i n t h e fi rs t p has e o f t h e tri al

, t h e t ri al co u rt

d i s cu s s ed t h e s p eci al v erd ict fo rm wi t h t h e ju ro rs

. Th e t ri al co u rt i n st ru ct ed t h e ju ro rs

t o an s wer t he q u es t i o n s o n t h e fo rm ab o u t t h e l o cat io n of th e o ri g in al d eed ed

eas em en t

, wh et h er t h e eas em en t h ad b een rel o cat ed , an d , i f s o, wh en t he rel o cat i o n

h ad o ccu rred

. In di s cu s si n g t h e red act ed p l at at t ach ed as an ex h i b i t t o t h e s p eci al

v erd i ct fo rm

, t h e t ri al co urt i n s t ru ct ed t h e ju ro rs t o d raw t h e o ri g i n al d eed ed eas em en t

an d t h e rel o cat ed eas em en t o n t h e p l at

, wh ich h ad a g rap h i c s s c a l e a t t ach ed t o i t

s h o wi n g h o w m an y feet eq u al ed o n e i n ch

, an d t h e co u rt p ro v i d ed t h e j u r y a s u rv ey

s c al e, a cal cu l at or, co lo red m ark ers

, an d ex t ra co p i es o f t h e red act ed p l at

. T h e t r i a l

co u rt cl ari fi ed t hat “ [i ] n d eci d i n g t he i s s u e o f wh e t h e r t h e deed ed eas em en t was

rel o cat ed

, an d i f s o, t o wh at l o cat i o n

, [t h e ju ro rs were] no t t o co n s i d er t h e i s s u e o f t h e

wi d th o f an y s uch rel o cat ed eas em en t ,” wh i ch was an i s s ue fo r th e co u rt t o d et erm i ne.

Th e tri al co u rt al so lat er cl ari fi ed

, i n res p o n s e t o a q u es ti o n fro m ju ro rs

, t h at t h e

6referen ce t o t h e “ rel ocat ed ” eas em en t i n t h e sp eci al v erd i ct fo rm m ean t t h e f i n al

l o cat io n o f t h e eas em en t

.

Fo l l owi n g it s d el i b erat i o n s

, t h e ju ry ret u rn ed a sp eci al v erd i ct fo rm fi n d i n g t h at

t h e o ri g i nal l o cat i o n o f t h e eas em en t was “ p aral l el t o t h e s ou t h ern b o u n d ary ” o f t h e

p ro p ert y

, t h at th e eas em en t had b een rel o cat ed

, an d t h at t h e rel o cat io n had occu rred

i n “ Fal l 2 0 0 8

. ” On th e red act ed p l at at t ach ed t o t h e sp eci al v erd i ct fo rm

, t he ju ry d rew

t wo l i n es wi t h t h e co lo red m ark ers

, l ab el i ng o n e “ Deed e d E a s e m e n t ” an d t h e o t h er

“ New-Rel o cat ed Ro ad .”

Th e j u r y’s sp eci al v erd i ct fo rm an d red act ed p l at were i n co rp o rat ed i n t o t h e

t ri al co urt ’ s ju d g m en t aft er t h e s eco n d p h as e o f t h e b i fu rcat ed t ri al

. 2 Th e ju dg m en t d id

n o t red u ce t o s cal e o r in cl u d e a m et es an d b o u nd s d es cri p ti o n o f th e o ri g i nal an d fi n al

l o cat io n s o f t h e eas em en t

. A l t ho u g h t h e t ri al co u rt h ad p rev i o u sl y d et erm i n ed as a

m at t er o f l aw t h at t h e wi d t h o f t h e eas em en t was 60 feet

, th at det erm in at io n al s o was

n o t i n co rp o rat ed i n to t h e ju d g m en t

.

2 In t h e s eco n d p h as e o f t h e b i fu rcat ed t ri al

, th e ju ry award ed dam ag es t o R. C.

ag ai n s t t h e Cam

b ri d ge d efen d an t s fo r i nt erferen ce w i t h i t s eas em en t

, b u t fo u n d in

fav o r o f t h e M

. P. d efen dan t s o n R. C.’ s i n t erferen ce cl ai m

. T h e s eco n d p h as e o f t h e

b i fu rcat ed t ri al i s n o t at i s s ue i n t h e p res en t ap p eal

.

7R.C. ap p eal ed fro m t h e ju d g m en t en t ered b y t h e t ri al co u rt

, co n ten d i n g

, am o n g

o t h er t h i ng s

, th at t he j u d gm en t d i d n o t ad eq u at el y i d en t i fy o r d es cri b e t h e fi n al

l o c a t i o n of t h e eas em en t

, t h ereb y p rev en t i n g R.C. fro m o b tai n i n g m ark et ab l e t i t l e. 3

See R. C. Acr es I

, 3 3 1 G a. Ap p

. at 7 6 9 (3 ). In R. C. Acr es I

, we ag reed w i t h R. C. t h at

t h e d es cri p ti o n o f t h e eas em en t i n t h e ju d g m en t was n o t s u ffi ci en t l y cert ai n

. 3 3 1 Ga.

Ap p

. at 76 9-7 7 0 (3 ). Acco rd i n g l y

, we v acat ed t h e p o rt io n o f t h e ju d g m en t reg ard i n g

t h e fi n al l o cat io n o f t h e eas em en t

, an d we rem an d ed wi t h t h e d i rect i o n “ th at t h e t ri al

co u rt am en d t h e ju d g m en t t o co n fo rm t o t h e j u ry ’ s v erd i ct an d t he ev i d en ce, t o m ak e

t h e d es cri p t i o n o f t h e eas em en t s u ffi ci en t l y cert ai n .” Id . at 7 7 0 (3 ). 4

On rem an d

, R. C. fi l ed a m o t i o n req u es t i n g t h at t he t ri al co u rt ap p o i n t a l an d

s u rv e yo r t o p rep are a s u rv ey an d l eg al d es cri p t i o n o f t he fi nal l o cat i o n o f t h e

eas em en t o n t he M

. P. d efen d an t s ’ p ro p ert y th at wo ul d be p lo t t ed al o ng t h e ro u t e o f

3 R. C. h ad fi l ed a m o t io n t o am en d t h e ju d g m en t

, b u t t h e t ri al co u rt d i d n o t h av e

t h e o p po rt u n i t y

t o ru l e o n t he m o t i on b efo re R. C. fi l ed i t s n o t ice o f ap p eal

.

4 In R. C. Acr es I

, we al s o h el d th at t h e t ri al co urt erred b y l i m i t i n g t he ju ry ’ s

co n si d erat io n o f t h e eas em en t t o i t s o ri g in al an d fi n al lo cat i o n s an d b y im p ro p erl y

res t ri ct i n g R. C.’ s cro s s-ex am in at i o n o f a d efen s e wi t n es s

. 3 3 1 Ga. A p p

. at 7 6 3 -7 6 9

(1 ), (2 ). W e rev ers ed an d rem an d ed fo r a ret ri al o f t he s eco n d p h as e o f th e b i fu rcat ed

t ri al

, i d

. at 7 6 7 (1 ), b u t t h e s eco nd p has e was n ev er ret ri ed b ecau s e t h e p art i es reach ed

a s et t lem en t o n t h e cl ai m s rel at ed t o t h at p h as e o f t h e p ro ceed i n g s

.

8t h e “

New-Rel o cat ed Ro ad ” as b u i l t i n Fal l 2 00 8

. 5 R. C. su b seq u en t l y ret ai n ed a

s u rv ey o r, wh o i d en ti fi ed t h e act u al g rav el ro ad t h at had been bu i l t n ear t h e s o u t h ern

b o u n d ary l i n e o f t h e M

. P. d efen d an t ’ s p ro p ert y an d t h en p rep ared a su rv ey o f t h e

eas em en t b as ed o n t h e ro u t e o f t h at ro ad

.

Th e tri al co u rt

, h o w ev er, d i d n o t i n co rp o rat e R. C.’ s co m m i ss i o n ed su rv ey t h at

was b as ed o n th e l ocat i o n o f t h e ex i st i n g g rav el ro ad i n t o th e am en d ed ju d g m en t

.

In s t ead

, t h e t ri al co u rt d i rect ed t h e s u rv ey o r t o red u ce t o s cal e an d p ro v i d e a l eg al

d es cri p t io n o f t h e fi n al l o cat i on o f th e eas em en t o n th e M

. P. d efen d an t ’ s p ro p ert y by

p reci s el y fo l l o wi ng t h e l i n e as d rawn wi t h a m ark er b y t h e j u ry o n t h e red act ed p l at

.

Sp eci fi cal l y , o v er R.C.’ s o b ject i o n , t h e t ri al co u rt d i rect ed t h e s u rv ey o r t o m ark t h e

ju ry ’ s h an d -d rawn li n e as t h e cen t erl i n e o f t h e eas em en t

, p l o t t h e c e n t e r l i n e wi t h a

m et es an d bo un d s d es cri p t i o n

, an d t h en id en t i fy an d p l ot 3 0 feet o n ei th er s id e o f t h e

cen t erl in e wi t h a m et es an d bo u n d s d es cri p t i o n

. T h e tri al co u rt ack n o wl ed g ed t h at t h e

ev i d en ce s ho w ed t h at “ an act u al g rav el ro ad ” ex i s t ed o n M

. P.’ s p ro p ert y t h at m i g ht

fal l wi t h i n t he b o u n dari es o f t h e e as em en t as p l o t t ed b y t h e s u rv ey o r bas ed o n t h e

ju ry ’ s h an d -d rawn l i n e, an d t h e co u rt d i rect ed t h at t h e s u rv ey o r al s o d ep i ct t h e “ as

5 R. C. reach ed a s et t lem en t w i t h t he Cam b ri d g e d efen dan t s reg ard i ng t h e fi n al

l o cat io n o f t h e eas em en t o v er t h ei r p ro p ert y

.

9b u i l t g rav el r o ad ” o n t he su rv ey s o t h at i t co u l d b e co m p ared t o t h e l o cat i o n o f t h e

p l o t t ed eas em en t

.

As d i rect ed b y t he t ri al co u rt

, t h e s urv ey o r co m p l et ed th e s u rv ey refl ect i n g t h e

fi nal l o cat i on o f t h e 6 0 -fo ot eas em en t b as ed s tri ct l y o n t h e h an d-d rawn li n e m ad e by

t h e ju ry o n t h e red act ed p l at

. Th e s u rv ey o r al s o d ep i ct ed t h e l ocat i o n o f t h e ex i s t i n g

g rav el ro ad n ear t h e s o u th ern b o u n d ary o f M

. P.’ s p ro p ert y fo r co m pari so n pu rp o s es

.

M o s t o f t h e g rav el ro ad fel l wi t h i n t he 60 -fo o t eas em en t t h at t h e s u rv ey or p l o t t ed

b as ed o n t h e l i n e d rawn b y th e j u ry

. On o ne s m al l po rt i o n o f t he s u rv ey

, h o wev er, t h e

g rav el ro ad fel l o u ts i d e t h e b o u n d ari es o f t h e eas em en t as d rawn b y t he s u rv ey o r.

Du ri n g a heari n g co n du ct ed to ad dres s t h e s urv ey th at h ad b een p rep ared at t h e

d i rect i o n o f th e tri al co u rt

, R. C. ag a i n a r g u e d t h at t h e p l o t t in g o f t h e fi n al l o cat i o n

o f t h e eas em en t by t h e s u rv ey o r s h o u l d b e b as ed on t h e act u al lo cat i o n o f t h e g rav el

ro ad rat h er t h an o n t h e ju ry ’ s h an d -d rawn l i n e o n t h e red act ed p l at

. Acco rd i n g t o R.

C., t h e ju ry ’ s fi n d i n gs i n t h e s peci al v erd i ct fo rm an d l ab el i n g o f t h e eas em en t s o n t h e

red act ed p l at cl earl y

s h o wed t h at t he ju ry

i n ten d ed fo r t h e ex i st i ng g rav el ro ad n ear

t h e so u t hern b o u n d ary l i n e, i .e., t h e “ New-Rel o cat ed Ro ad ” b u i l t i n Fal l 2 00 8

, t o b e

t h e fi n al l o cat i o n o f t h e eas em en t

, an d t h e ju ry ’ s freeh an d d rawi n g o f t h e l in e o n t h e

10p l at wi th t h e co l o red m ark er was s i m p l y t h e ju ry ’ s b es t effo rt t o ap p ro x i m a t e t h e

l o cat io n o f t h at ro ad

.

Th e t ri al co u rt d i s ag reed wi t h R. C. an d en t ered a n a m en d ed ju d g m en t

i n c o r p o rat i n g t h e s u rv ey an d l eg al d es cri pt i o n o f t h e fi n al l o cat io n o f t h e eas e m e n t

t h at was b as ed s tri ct l y o n th e h an d -d rawn li n e m ad e b y t h e ju ry o n t h e red act ed p l at

.

Co n s eq u en t l y

, a p o rt i o n of t h e ex i s t i n g g rav el ro ad fel l o u ts i d e t h e b ou n dari es o f t h e

eas em en t u n der th e am en d m en t ju d g m en t en t ered b y t h e tri al co u rt

. R. C. n o w ap p eal s

fro m t h e am en d ed ju d g m en t

.

In t h i s ap peal

, R. C. co n ten d s t h at t h e t ri al co u rt erred o n rem an d b y fai l i n g to

co n fo rm t h e am en d ed ju dg m en t t o t h e reas on ab l e i n t en d m en t o f t h e v erd i ct an d t h e

ev i d en ce p res en t ed at t ri al

. Acco rd i n g to R. C., t h e ju ry cl earl y i n t en d ed fo r t h e fi n al

l o cat io n o f t h e eas em en t t o b e t h e “ New-Rel ocat ed Ro ad ” as b u i l t o n t h e M .P.

d efen d an t ’ s p ro pert y i n Fal l 2 0 0 8

, wh i ch was t h e ex is t i n g g rav el ro ad s h o wn o n t h e

p l at d rawn b y t h e s urv ey o r as d i rect ed b y t he t ri al co u rt

. Gi ven t h e ju r y ’s i n t en t in

reach i n g i t s verd i ct an d t h e ev i den ce p res en t ed at tri al

, R.C. arg u es t h at t h e t ri al co u rt

erred b y en t eri n g an am en d ed ju d g m en t t h at i n co rp orat ed a s urv ey b as ed st ri ct l y o n

t h e l i n e d rawn b y t h e ju ry o n t h e red act ed p l at

, wh i ch cau s ed a p o rt i o n o f t h e g rav el

ro ad t o fal l o u t s i d e t h e b o u n d ari es o f t h e p lo t t ed eas em en t . W e ag ree.

11Judgm e nt a nd e x ecu t i o n s h al l co n fo rm t o t he v erd ic t,

an d a ju d g m e n t m ay b e am en d ed b y o rd er o f t h e co u rt t o

co n fo rm to t h e v erd i ct u p o n wh i ch i t i s p red i c a t e d

, e v en

aft er an ex ecu t i on i s s u es

. Th e ju d g m en t m u s t co n f o rm t o

t h e reas o n ab le i nt en d m en t o f t h e verd i ct u p on w h i ch i t i s

b as ed

, as d et erm i n ed b y an in s p e c t i o n o f t h e reco rd

,

i n cl u d i n g t h e v erd i ct an d pl ead i n g s

. Co ns eq u en t l y

, t h e t ri al

co u rt was req u i red t o ex am i n e t h e reco rd an d d et erm i ne i f

t h e j u r y’s in t en t p l ai n l y ap p eared u p on t h e face o f th e

reco rd

.

(Ci t at i o n an d p u n ct uat i o n om it t ed .) R. C. Acr es I

, 33 1 Ga. Ap p

. at 7 6 9 (3 ). See OCGA

§ § 9 -1 2 -4 ; 9 -1 2 -9 ; Tu r l ey v. Tu r l ey

, 2 4 4 G a

. 8 0 8

, 8 0 9 (2 6 2 SE2 d 1 1 2 ) (1 9 7 9 );

Ka u f m a n Dev. Pa r t n er

s v. Ei ch en b l a t t , 3 2 4 Ga. Ap p

. 7 1

, 7 5 -7 6 (3 ) (7 4 9 SE2 d 3 7 4 )

(2 0 1 3). M i nd fu l o f t h es e p ri n ci p l es , we t u rn t o t h e reco rd i n t h i s cas e.

Du ri n g th e fi rs t p h as e of t h e b i fu rcat ed ju ry t ri al

, Ben jam in Fri ed m an

, R. C.’ s

rep res en t at i v e, t es t i fi e d t h a t i n 2 0 0 8

, h e reach ed an ag reem en t wi th t he M

. P.

d efen d an t s t o b u i l d a n ew ro ad n ear t h e s o u t h ern b o u n d ary o f t h ei r p ro p ert y t h at

wo u l d p ro v i d e a n ew m ean s of acces s t o R. C.’ s p ro pert y

. M r. Bo s e, t h e m an ag er o f

M o m m i es Pro p ert i es

, li k ewi s e t es t i fi ed t h at t h e M

. P. d efen dan t s h ad rea c h e d an

ag reem en t wi t h M r. Fri ed m an reg ard i ng t h e l o cat i on an d co n s t ru ct i on o f t h e n ew

ro ad

, an d t h e o wn er o f t h e s tab l es o p erat ed o n t h e M

. P. d efen d an t ’ s p r o p ert y

12s i m i l arl y co n fi rm ed t h at M r. Bo s e h ad reach ed an ag reem en t reg ard i n g t h e n ew ro ad

wi t h M r. Fri ed m an

.

Acco rd i ng t o M r. Fri ed m an

, o n ce t h e p art i es reach ed an ag reem en t reg ard i n g

t h e n ew ro ad

, h e h ad a 2 0 -fo o t -wi d e ro ad t h at co s t $ 6 0 ,0 0 0 co n s t r u c t e d n ear t h e

s o u t h ern b o u n dary o f t he M

. P. d efen d an t ’ s p ro p ert y o ver a t h ree-week p eri o d i n Fal l

2 0 0 8

, an d h e i d en t i fi ed t h e d i rt -an d -g rav el ro ad in s ev eral p h o t o grap h s t h at were

i n t ro du ced i n t o ev id en ce. M r. Fri ed m an al s o tes t i fi ed th a t b efo re b u i l d i ng t h e n ew

ro ad

, h e h ad co m

m i ss i o n ed t h e s erv i ces o f a s urv ey o r t o do cu m en t t he p ro p o s ed

l o cat io n

, an d t h e s u rv ey o r’ s p l at s h o wi n g th e p ro p o s ed l o cat i o n o f t he new ro ad was

i n t ro du ce d i n t o ev i d en ce as Pl ai n t iff’ s E x h i b i t 2 1 3

. W h il e t es ti fy i n g ab o u t t h e n ew

ro ad

, M r. Fri ed m an d rew a red l i n e o n Pl ai n t i ff’ s Ex h i b i t 21 3 s h owi n g t h e ro u te o f

t h e ro ad t h at h ad b een b ui l t

.

At t h e en d o f t h e fi rs t p h as e o f t h e t ri al

, wh en t h e ju ry ret u r n e d i ts s p eci al

v erd i ct i d en t i fy i n g t h e fi n al lo cat i o n o f th e eas em en t

, t h e ju ry fo u n d

, a s p r e v i o u s l y

n o t ed

, t h at t h e eas em en t had b een rel o cat ed i n “ Fal l 2 00 8 ” an d l ab el ed i t s han d -d rawn

l i ne o f t h e fi n al l o cat io n of t h e eas em en t o n t he red act ed pl at as t h e “ New-Rel o cat ed

Ro ad .” T h e ju ry ’ s h an d -d rawn l i n e o f t h e eas em en t o n t h e red act ed p l a t cl o s el y

13ap p ro x i m at ed t h e ro u t e o f t h e n ew ro ad as d rawn b y M r. Fri ed m an o n Pl ai n t i ff’ s

Ex h ib i t 2 1 3

.

Bas ed o n t h i s tri al ev i d en ce, t he s p eci al v erd i ct fo rm

, an d th e red act ed p l at

, i t

i s cl ear t h at t h e ju ry i n t en d ed fo r t h e fi n al l o cat i o n o f t h e eas em en t t o b e t h e n ew ro ad

b u i l t b y M r. Fri ed m an al o ng t h e s o u t h ern b o un d ary o f t h e M

. P. d efen d an t s ’ p ro p ert y

i n Fal l 2 0 0 8

. Th u s

, fo r t h e am en d ed ju d g m en t t o p ro p erl y co n fo rm t o t h e reas o n ab l e

i n t en d m en t o f t h e j ury ’ s v erd ict

, t h e new ro ad b u i l t b y Mr. Fri ed m an in Fal l 2 0 0 8 h ad

t o fal l w i th i n t h e bo un d ari es o f t h e p l o t ted eas em en t i n co rp o rat ed i n t o t h e ju d g m en t

.

Here, h o wev er, t h e s u rv ey o rd ered b y t h e t r i a l co u rt o n rem an d an d

i n co rp o rat ed in t o th e j ud gm en t i n cl u des a s m al l area wh ere t h e ro ad l ab el ed “ ex i s t i n g

g rav el d ri v e” n ear t h e s o ut h er n b o u n d ary o f t h e M

. P. d efen dan t ’ s p ro p ert y fal l s

o u t s i d e t h e b o u n d ari es o f th e pl o t t ed eas em en t

. An d t he ro u t e o f t h e “ ex i s t i n g g rav el

d ri v e” s ho wn o n t h e s u rv ey i s co n s i s t en t wi t h t he ro ut e o f t h e n ew ro ad b u i l t b y M r.

Fri ed m an i n Fal l 2 0 0 8 as refl ect ed i n t h e t ri al ev i d en ce, i n cl u d i n g Pl ai n t i ff’ s Ex h i b i t

2 1 3

, t h e p l at o f t h e pro po s ed n ew ro ad t h at M r. Fri ed m an m ark ed d u ri n g h i s

t es t i m o ny

, an d Defen s e Ex h i b i t 5 -B, an ot h er s u rv ey o f t h e p ro p ert y sh o w i n g t h e

afo res ai d “ g rav el dri ve.” Th u s

, t h e s u rv ey s h o ws t h at a p o rt i o n o f t h e new ro ad b u i l t

b y M r. Fri ed m an i n Fal l 2 00 8 fa ll s o u t s i d e th e bo u n d ari es o f t h e p l o tt ed eas em en t

14i n co rp o rat ed i nt o t h e am en d ed j u d g m en t by t h e t ri al co u rt

. Acco rd i n g ly

, b ecau s e t h e

ju ry cl earl y i n t en d ed fo r t he eas em e n t t o en co m p as s t h e n ew ro ad b u i lt b y M r.

Fr i e d m a n i n Fal l 2 0 0 8

, we co n cl u d e t hat t he t ri al co u rt erred b y am en d i n g t h e

ju d g m en t o n rem an d in a m an n er t h at fai led to co nfo rm t o t h e reas o n ab le i nt en d m en t

o f t h e v erd i ct an d t h e e v i d e n c e p res en t ed at tri al reg ard i n g t h e l o cat i o n o f t h e n ew

ro ad

. See OCGA § § 9

- 1 2

- 4 ; 9

- 1 2

- 9 ; Tu rl ey

, 2 4 4 Ga. at 8 0 9 ; R

. C. Acr es I

, 3 3 1 Ga.

Ap p . at 7 6 9 (3 ); Ka u

f ma n Dev. Pa r t n er

s , 3 2 4 Ga. Ap p . at 7 5 -7 6 (3 ).

In reach in g th is co n cl u s i o n

, we r e j ect t h e d efen s e arg u m en t

, accep t ed b y t h e

t ri al co urt

, t h at t h e ju ry ’ s i n t en t i n reach in g i t s v erd ict was co n cl u s i v el y dem o n s t rat ed

b y t h e act u al l in e d rawn b y ju ro rs o n t h e red act e d pl at

, an d t h at t he s u rv ey

i n co r p o r a t e d i n t o t h e ju d g m en t h ad t o b e b as ed s t ri ct l y on t h e h an d -d rawn l i ne.

“ Verd i ct s

. . . s h al l recei v e a reas o n ab l e co ns t ru ct i o n,” OCGA § 9 -1 2 -4

, an d h ere t h e

o n l y reas o n ab l e co n s t ru ct i o n o f t h e v erd i ct i s t hat t h e ju ry m ean t fo r th e eas em en t to

b e pl aced al o n g t h e n ew ro ad b u i l t by M r. Fri ed m an in Fal l 2 0 0 8

, rat h e r t h an s o m e

s l ig h t ly di fferen t, al t ern at i v e co u rs e t h at wo ul d req ui re R. C. t o rel o cat e a p o rt i o n o f

t h e ro ad fo r n o ap p aren t p u rp o se an d at ad d i ti o n al ex p en s e. Th i s i s p art i cu l arl y t ru e

w h e n t h e ju ry ’ s freeh an d d rawi n g i s v i ewed i n co n ju n ct i o n wi th t h e fi n d i ng i n t h e

s p eci al verd i ct fo rm t h at t h e e a s e m en t was rel o cat ed i n “ Fal l 2 0 0 8 ” an d wi t h t h e

15l ab el in g o f t h e han d -d rawn l i ne as t h e “ New-Rel o cat ed Ro ad .” Fu rt h erm o r e, t h e

red act ed p l at p ro v i d ed t o t h e ju ry d i d n ot i n cl u d e an o u tl i n e o f t h e new ro ad

, an d l ay

ju ro rs o f co u rs e are n o t p ro fes s i o n al l an d su rv ey o rs

, an d t h u s it i s n o t s u rp ri s i n g t h at

t h e freeh an d l i n e d rawn by t h e ju ro rs d i d n o t p erfect l y m at ch th e l o cat i o n o f t h e n ew

ro ad o n t h e g ro u n d. C onse q uen t l y

, t he s l i g h t d ev i at i o n b et ween t h e ju ry ’ s han d -d rawn

l i ne an d th e act u al ro ad way d o es n o t al t e r o u r c o n cl us i o n th at t h e ju ry i n t en d ed fo r

t h e n ew ro ad as b ui l t i n Fal l 2 0 0 8 t o b e fi n al l o cat io n o f t h e eas em en t

.

Th e M

. P. d efen d an ts al s o co n t en d t h at t he freeh an d li ne drawn b y t h e ju ry o n

t h e red act ed p l at fo r th e fi n al l o cat i o n o f t h e eas em en t preci s el y m at ch es t h e ro u t e o f

t h e ro ad as h an d -d rawn b y M r. Fri ed m an o n Pl ai n t i ff’ s Ex h i b it 2 1 3

. Co n s eq u en t l y,

t h e M

. P. d efen dan t s m ai n t ai n t h at t h ere was an ev i d en t i ary b as i s fo r wh ere t h e ju ry

s p eci fi cal l y d rew t h e l in e o n t h e p l at

, t h at t h e j u ry i n fact g av e R. C. t h e eas em en t t h at

i t req u es t ed

, an d t h at t h e t ri al co u rt p ro p erl y b as ed t h e s u rv ey o f t h e fi n al l o cat i o n o f

t h e eas em en t o n t h e ex act l i n e d rawn b y t h e ju ry

.

Ho wev er, we h av e co m

p ared th e ju ry ’ s red act ed pl at t o Pl ai n t i ff’ s Ex h i b i t 2 1 3,

an d t h e l i n e d rawn b y

t h e ju ry fo r t h e ro u te of t h e n ew ro ad d o es n o t en ti rel y m at ch

t h e l i n e d r a w n b y M r. Fri ed m an

. Fu rt h erm o re, t he red act ed p l at u s ed b y th e ju ry i s

s o m ewh at l arg er i n s i ze th a n t h e p l at s ho wn o n Pl ai nt i ff’ s Ex h i b it 2 1 3

, an d t h e

16g rap h i c s cal es o n t h e t wo p l at s are s l i g h tl y d i fferen t

. Th us

, w h i l e t h e j u ry ’ s freeh an d

l i ne d rawn o n t h e red a c t e d p l a t m ay b e a cl o s e ap p ro x i m at i o n o f th e l i n e d rawn by

M r. Fri ed m an o n Pl ai n t i ff’ s Ex h i b i t 2 1 3

, t h e t wo l i n es are n o t t h e s am e.

Fu rt herm o re, t h e M

. P. d efen d an t s’ arg u m en t ab o u t t h e m at ch i n g l i n es i s

p red i cat ed o n th e i n co rrect as s um p t i o n t h at th e l i n e d rawn freeh an d b y M r. Fri ed m an

o n Pl ai n t i ff’ s Ex h i b i t 2 1 3 at t ri al was i n ten d ed t o b e an ex act ren d eri n g o f t h e ro u t e

o f t h e n ew ro a d

. M r

. F r i ed m an was n o t a t rai ned s u rv ey o r, an d aft er d ep i ct i n g t h e

ro u t e o f t h e new ro ad o n t he ex h i b i t

, h e was as k ed o n cro s s-ex am i n at i o n

, “ Th at ’ s al l

y o u w an t t h e ju ry to g i v e y o u is t h i s n ew ro ad we b u i l t ?

, ” an d h e rep li ed

, “ T h at ’ s wh at

we h ad ag reed u p o n

, y es

, s i r.” W h en as k ed ag ai n l at er i n h i s t es t i m on y ab o u t t h e fi n al

l o cat io n o f t h e eas em en t

, M r. Fri ed m an rei t erat ed

, “ I wo u l d l o v e t o us e t he ro ad t h at

I b u i l t . I wan t t o u s e t h e ro ad t hat I b u i l t

. ”

It i s cl ear fro m M r. Fri ed m an ’ s t es t i m o n y th at h e was req u es t i n g t h at t h e ju ry

p l ace t h e fi n al lo cat i o n o f t h e eas em en t al o n g t h e n ew ro ad as b u i l t i n Fal l 2 0 0 8

, an d

t h at h i s freeh an d ren d eri n g o f t h e ro u te o f t h e new ro ad o n Pl ai nt i ff’s E x h i b i t 2 1 3,

wh en vi ewed i n co n t ex t

, was in t en d ed t o b e h i s bes t ap p ro x i m at i o n o f t h at ro u t e,

rat h er t h an t he p reci s e ren d eri n g o f an ex p ert l an d s urv ey or. Th u s

, t o t he ex t en t t h at

t h e j u ry rel i ed u p o n M r. Fri ed m an ’ s l i n e in at t em p ti n g to d ep i ct t h e fi n al l o cat i o n o f

17t h e eas em en t on th e red act ed p l at

, t h e ju ry was d o in g n o t h i ng m o re t h an s i g n al i n g t h at

t h e fi n al eas em en t s h o u l d b e p l aced al o n g th e n ew ro ad as b u il t i n Fal l 2 0 0 8

, as M r.

Fri ed m an h ad req ues ted an d m ad e cl ear i n h i s t es t i m on y

.

Ad d it i on al l y

, th e M

. P. d efen d an t s arg u e t h at th e ju ry di d n o t an d co u l d n ot

h av e i n t en d ed to p l ace t h e fi n al l o cat io n o f t h e eas em en t p reci s el y al o n g t h e n ew ro ad

b u i l t b y M r. Fri ed m a n b e c a u s e i f t h e ro ad h ad been u s ed as t h e cen t erl i n e o f t h e

eas em en t

, a few feet o f t h e 6 0 -fo ot wi d e eas em en t w o u l d h av e en cro ach ed o n t o a

n ei g h b o ri n g p ro p ert y i n o n e l ocat i o n

. Bu t t h e M

. P. d efen d an t s ’ arg um en t i s bas ed o n

t h e erro n eo u s as s u m

pt i o n th at t h e ju ry was d rawi n g a l i n e t h a t w a s i n t en d ed to

rep res en t t h e p reci s e cen t erl i n e o f t h e eas em en t

, wi t h th e eas em en t ’ s b o u nd ary t o b e

p l aced ex act l y 3 0 feet on each s i d e o f t h ei r l i n e. Th at i s no t wh at t he ju ry was

i n s t ru ct ed t o do

. Th e ju ry was s i m p l y i n s t ru ct ed t o d raw a s i n g l e l i n e rep res en t i n g t h e

fi nal ro u te of t h e eas em en t

, wi t h o u t an y referen ce i n t h e i n s t ru ct i o ns to t h e cen t erl i n e

o r h ow t h e p r e c i s e 6 0

- f

o o t wi d e b o u nd ary o f t h e eas em en t wo ul d b e d et erm i n ed

.

In d eed

, t h e t ri al co u rt i n st ru ct ed t he ju ry “ n o t t o co n s i der t h e i s s u e o f t h e wi d t h o f .

. . [t h e] rel o cat ed eas em e n t ” as p art o f i ts d el i b erat i o n s

. Hen ce, wh et h er or t o wh at

ex t en t t h e cen t erl i n e of t h e n ew ro ad as b ui l t i n Fal l 2 0 0 8 w as l es s t h an 3 0 feet fro m

18t h e b ou n d ary l i n e o f t h e M .P. defen d an t ’ s p ro pert y o n o n e s i d e si m p l y h ad n o b eari n g

o n t h e ju ry ’ s v erd i ct reach ed i n t h i s cas e. 6

Las t ly

, t h e M

. P. d efen dan t s al l eg e t hat R. C. al t ered t he ro u t e of th e n ew ro ad

p o s t -v erd i ct an d j u d gm en t

, s u ch t h at R. C. i s n o w s eek in g en t ry o f an am en d ed

ju d g m en t award i ng a fi nal eas em en t l o cat io n d i fferen t fro m wh at i t s o u g h t at t ri al

.

Th e M

. P. d efen d an t s arg um en t i s wi t h ou t m eri t an d has n o s up p o rt i n t h e reco rd

. To

s u p p ort t h ei r al l eg at i o n th at t h e n ew ro ad h ad b een al t ered

, t h e M

. P. d efen d an t s rel y

s o l el y o n arg u m en t o f co u n s el an d u ns wo rn s t at em en t s m ad e at a t ri al co u rt h eari n g

co n du ct ed o n rem an d

, nei t h er o f wh i ch co n st i tu t e co m p et e ev i d en ce. See W

a t s o n v.

Ga

. Dep t

. o

f Tr a n s p.

, 28 8 Ga. Ap p

. 4 0

, 4 2

, n .2 (6 5 3 SE2 d 7 6 3 ) (2 00 7 ) (co u n sel ’ s

s t at em en t s at h eari n g are no t ev i d en ce); P a r ker v. S i l vi a n o

, 2 84 Ga. Ap p. 2 7 8

, 2 7 9

(1 ) (6 43 SE2 d 8 1 9 ) (2 0 0 7 ) (“ u n s wo rn al l eg at i o n s are n o t ev i d en ce ” ) (ci t at i o n

o m it t ed ). Hen ce, t h ere i s n o co m p et en t ev i d en ce o f reco rd t hat an y wo rk was

6 W e al so n o t e t h at t h ere was n o req ui rem en t

, b as ed o n th e v erd i ct an d ev i d en ce

p res en t ed at t ri al

, th at th e n ew ro ad b e u s ed as t he cen t er l i n e o f t h e 6 0 -fo o t eas em en t

fo r p u rp o s es o f red u ci n g t h e fi n al l ocat io n o f th e eas em en t t o a m et es -an d -b o u nd s

d es cri p t io n as p art of t h e am en d ed ju d g m en t

. Rat h er, t o b e co n s is t en t wi t h t h e

reas on ab l e i n t en d m en t o f th e v erd i ct an d th e t ri al ev i d en ce, t h e n ew ro ad s i m p l y h ad

t o co m e wi t h i n t he 6 0-fo o t b o u n d ary o f t h e eas em en t as p l o t ted

.

19p erfo rm ed o n t h e new ro ad aft er t h e t ri al o r t h at t h e n ew ro ad has b een m o v ed fro m

wh ere i t was b u il t i n Fal l 2 00 8

.

In s u m

, t h e ju ry ’ s fi n d in g s i n t h e s p eci al v erd i ct f o rm an d t h e ju ry ’ s d rawi n g

an d l ab el i n g o f t h e eas em en t o n t h e red act ed p lat

, wh en v i ewed i n co n ju n ct i o n wi th

t h e ev id en ce p res en t ed at t ri al

, d e m o n s t r a t e t hat t h e ju ry i n t en d ed fo r t h e fi n al

l o cat io n o f t h e eas em en t t o b e al o n g t h e n ew ro ad as b u i l t by M r. Fri ed m an o n t h e M

.

P. d efen d an t s ’ p ro p ert y i n Fal l 2 0 0 8

. Becau s e t he t ri al co u rt am en d ed t h e ju d g m en t

o n rem an d t o i n co rp o rat e a su rv ey t h at ex cl ud ed a p o rt i o n o f t h e n ew ro ad fro m t h e

eas em en t

, t h e am en d ed ju d g m en t d o es n o t co n fo rm t o t he reas o n ab l e i n ten d m en t o f

t h e v erd i ct an d t h e ev i d en ce p res en t ed at t ri al

. W e t h erefo re m u s t rev ers e t h e am en d ed

ju d g m en t an d rem an d fo r t h e tri al co u rt t o co n fo rm t h e ju dg m en t t o th e ju ry ’ s v erd i ct

an d th e ev i d en ce in a m an n er co n s i s t en t wi t h th i s o p i n i o n. See Ta yl o r v. Ta yl o r

, 2 1 2

Ga. 6 3 7

, 6 3 8 (1 ) (9 4 SE2 d 74 4 ) (1 95 6 ) (ju d g m en t di d no t co n fo rm t o v erd ict

, wh ere

ju d g m en t i n cl u d ed award of p ro p ert y t o wi fe d ifferen t fro m w h at w as i nt en d ed b y t h e

ju ry i n l i gh t o f t he p lead i n gs an d ev i d en ce p res en t ed at t ri al ); P in ke r t o n & L a ws v.

Ma cr o Co n s t r

. , 2 2 6 Ga. Ap p

. 1 6 9

, 1 7 2 (4 ) (b ) (4 8 5 SE2 d 79 7 ) (1 9 9 7 ) (t ri al co u rt

o rd ered t o am en d ju d g m en t t o refl ect t ru e m ean i n g an d i n ten t o f ju ry to en t er award

i n fav o r o f gen eral co nt ract o r o n i t s cl ai m fo r b reach o f su b co n t ract ). Co m p are No r t o n

20Rea lt

y & Lo a n Co

. v. Bd

. o f Ed

. o f Ha l l Co u n ty

, 1 2 9 Ga. Ap p

. 6 6 8

, 6 7 3 -6 74 (3 ) (2 0 0

SE2 d 4 6 1 ) (1 9 7 3) (t ri al co u rt p ro p erl y am en d ed ju d g m en t t o i n co rp o rat e a p l at an d

t h ereb y co nfo rm t h e d es cri p t i o n o f cert ai n co n d em n ed l an d s t o t h e ev i d en ce an d

v erd i ct

, w h ere i t was cl ear t h at “ t h e am en d m en t h ad t h e effect m erel y o f carry i n g o ut

t h e i n t en d m en t o f t h e o ri g i n al v erd i ct ”) (ci t at i o n s an d p u n ct u at i o n o m i t t ed ).

J u d g men t r ever

s ed a n d ca s e r ema n d

ed wi t h d i r ect i on

. Bo ggs and R i c k m an, J J

. ,

co n cu r

.

21