Opinion ID: 882498
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Did the District Court err by awarding Daniels free rent through September, 1993?

Text: Kelly Daniels operates a second hand store in premises he leased from Ben Bernatz. A written lease for the premises extended through September, 1993. In January, 1991, Steve Bolinger, John Dean and Harold Lake met with Bernatz and Daniels to discuss the purchase of the property and Daniels' lease. Bolinger, Lake and Dean expressed their desire that Daniels leave his leased premises so that the building could be used to open a service area for a used car business operated by Dean and Bolinger. Negotiations to have Daniels vacate his lease failed. John Dean, Steve Bolinger, Harold Lake, and Mary Lake, purchased the property from Bernatz, as tenants in common, on January 11, 1991. The contract for deed specifically provides that purchase of the property is subject to Daniels' existing commercial lease. A copy of the lease and an addendum to the lease were attached to the contract for deed. Harold Lake read the contract for deed prior to closing and agreed to all that it contained. Dean was authorized to manage the property and the lease with Daniels and presented himself to Daniels as representing the owners of the property. Contrary to the existing lease agreement, on January 11, 1991, Dean delivered a thirty day eviction notice to Daniels ordering him off the premises without cause. Daniels refused to vacate. Thereafter, despite available parking elsewhere on the premises, Dean's son and an employee of Dean began to park vehicles immediately in from of Daniels' store obstructing entrance to the store and utilizing parking otherwise available to Daniels' customers. There is evidence that Dean's son and an employee repeatedly threw gravel from their car tires against the storefront window where Daniels customarily displayed antique furniture outside. Daniels' February rent check was returned to Daniels with a note demanding that he vacate the property by February 11, 1991. Dean advised Daniels that he would never accept any rent payment from him. On or about February 12, 1991, Harold Lake was on the property making measurements and pointing to the spot where a garage door was to be cut into the wall of Daniels' store. Harold Lake had knowledge of both the intention to cut the hole in the wall and the refusal of Daniels' rent. Lake testified that he would not have entered the deal had he known Daniels would remain. Further, he testified he was unwilling to tolerate Daniels having the right to remain on the property. About February 15, 1991, there was a confrontation in the parking lot. Daniels' testified that Dean and others swore at him and threatened to kill him if he refused to vacate. There is evidence that Dean's son, employees of Dean and others continually gathered near the front of Daniels' store to threaten, frighten and harass Daniels and his patrons. Following the parking lot confrontation, Dean removed the thermostat from Daniels' store and Daniels' heat was cut off. When the owners refused to provide heat, Daniels attempted to heat his store with electric space heaters. Dean filed a complaint with the Missoula Fire Department alleging that Daniels' use of the heaters was hazardous and that he was attempting to burn down the building. Following investigation, no charges were brought. Dean also filed a complaint with the Missoula City building inspector. After another parking lot confrontation Dean filed a criminal complaint against Daniels alleging that he was armed and threatening Dean. A Missoula County sheriff's deputy responded and frisked Daniels in his store in front of his customers. After further investigation the officer apologized to Daniels and left taking no further action. Following another confrontation with Dean, Daniels was notified by the United States Post Office that he was accused of stealing Dean's mail. On February 20, 1991, Dean filed an action in justice court seeking to evict Daniels. Despite Dean's refusal to accept rent, default notices were sent to Daniels for failure to pay March and April rent. On March 12, 1991, Daniels filed this action in District Court. Dean dismissed the justice court action so that all matters could be adjudicated in the District Court suit. On May 9 and 14, 1991, an evidentiary hearing was held on Daniels' application for an order to show cause. At the conclusion of the hearing, upon the court's inquiry, counsel stipulated that the hearing be considered the trial on the merits and be submitted to the court for final adjudication.