Opinion ID: 2051647
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Sufficiency of the Evidence: Liability

Text: [¶ 12] The Mullens next contend that insufficient evidence exists in the record to support the jury's finding of liability with regard to both the tortious interference and nuisance claims. We will not overturn a jury verdict unless no reasonable view of the evidence could sustain the verdict .... Merrill v. Sugarloaf Mountain Corp., 2000 ME 16, ¶ 14, 745 A.2d 378, 384 (quoting Hansen v. Sunday River Skiway Corp., 1999 ME 45, ¶ 5, 726 A.2d 220, 222). A jury's verdict is supported by sufficient evidence as long as any competent evidence exists in the record on which the jury could base its findings. State v. Bartlett, 661 A.2d 1107, 1108 (Me.1995).
[¶ 13] Tortious interference with a prospective economic advantage requires a plaintiff to prove: (1) that a valid contract or prospective economic advantage existed; [4] (2) that the defendant interfered with that contract or advantage through fraud or intimidation; and (3) that such interference proximately caused damages. [5] James v. MacDonald, 1998 ME 148, ¶ 7, 712 A.2d 1054, 1057. The Mullens contend that no competent evidence exists on which the jury could find either the first or second elements of interference: prospective economic advantage or interference with that advantage through fraud or intimidation. We agree that insufficient evidence exists to support a finding that the Mullens interfered through fraud or intimidation, and therefore vacate the determination of liability on the count of tortious interference. [¶ 14] We first address the requirements of proving tortious interference with a prospective economic advantage through fraud. The elements of interference by fraud are: (1) mak[ing] a false representation (2) of a material fact (3) with knowledge of its falsity or in reckless disregard of whether it is true or false (4) for the purpose of inducing another to act or refrain from acting in reliance on it, and (5) the other person justifiably relies on the representation as true and acts upon it to the damage of the plaintiff. Petit v. Key Bank of Maine, 688 A.2d 427, 430 (Me.1996) (quoting Grover v. Minette-Mills, Inc., 638 A.2d 712, 716 (Me.1994)) (alteration in original); see also RESTATEMENT (SECOND) OF TORTS §§ 525-26 (1977). [¶ 15] The evidence offered by Rutland at trial to show that the Mullens made a false representation included only his own testimony that the Mullens falsely claimed to own Stephenson Lane. The assertion of a legal right, however, is by itself insufficient as a matter of law to support a finding of interference by fraud. The Mullens cannot be said to have engaged in fraud simply because their claim of right was later proven invalid, nor did Rutland at any time rely on the Mullens' claim. [¶ 16] We next address tortious interference through intimidation. Interference by intimidation involves unlawful coercion or extortion. BLACK'S LAW DICTIONARY 827 (7th ed. 1999); see also Pombriant v. Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Maine, 562 A.2d 656, 659 (Me.1989). Again, a person who claims to have, or threatens to lawfully protect, a property right that the person believes exists cannot be said to have intended to deceive or to have unlawfully coerced or extorted another simply because that right is later proven invalid. See RESTATEMENT (SECOND) OF TORTS § 773 (1979). Rutland testified at trial that the Mullens insisted that Rutland ask permission to use the lane and indicated that they would continue to assert their right to exclude Rutland while the litigation was pending. Thus, the evidence offered to prove intimidation showed only that the Mullens intended to vigorously preserve their claim of right in Stephenson Lane. [6] The evidence is therefore also insufficient as a matter of law to support a finding of interference by intimidation. [¶ 17] We therefore vacate the judgment with respect to the finding of tortious interference with a prospective economic advantage. Furthermore, because the award of punitive damages related only to the tortious interference count, we vacate the punitive damages award in its entirety and therefore do not address the Mullens' challenge to the legal sufficiency of the evidence supporting punitive damages.
[¶ 18] The Mullens also contend that no evidence was presented at trial to indicate that Brenda Mullen physically obstructed Rutland's right-of-way. [7] Contrary to the Mullens' assertions, there was testimony that the Mullens blocked Rutland's access to the lane with a car, a truck, a trailer, and logs, and that neither John nor Brenda Mullen agreed to Rutland's requests that these obstacles be removed. Thus, there is sufficient evidence upon which the jury could find that Brenda Mullen physically obstructed the lane and we do not disturb that finding. [8]