Opinion ID: 886773
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Force

Text: ¶ 25 Citing language in Grenfell v. Anderson, 2002 MT 225, ¶ 55, 311 Mont. 385, ¶ 55, 56 P.3d 326, ¶ 55, defining force as including not only actual application of physical force, but such threats or display of physical force as are reasonably calculated to inspire fear of death or bodily harm, Savoy argues that, even if she did wrongfully occupy Hardings' or Skogens' land, mere wrongful occupation of land is insufficient to establish the elements of forcible detainer under subsections (1) or (2) of § 70-27-103, MCA. Grenfell, ¶ 57. Savoy maintains the record is deficient regarding any evidence that she occupied Hardings' property. ¶ 26 Hardings and Skogens dispute Savoy's claim that the disputed land remained unoccupied by mutual agreement of the parties, noting both Hardings and Skogens reacted immediately to Savoy's actions by filing applications to the District Court for an injunction to prevent Savoy from further interference with their properties. At the hearing on the requested injunctions, Savoy resisted the demands that Hardings and Skogens be allowed to reclaim the disputed property. Hardings and Skogens respond that Savoy's resistance, in and of itself, is evidence of forcible detainer. ¶ 27 Hardings and Skogens also dispute Savoy's claim that she fenced off part of the disputed property in reliance upon the Latvala survey. The evidence showed Savoy destroyed the Skogen fence in September of 1999, nine months before Latvala completed his survey in July of 2000. Second, while Savoy claims she did not replace the destroyed Skogen fence with another fence, Orville Skogen testified he awoke on September 13, 2000, following the entry of a temporary restraining order, and observed a fence being built in the disputed area which stretched along the Savoy/Murray property boundary. Warren Harding also testified to observing the removal of the remainder of the boundary fence in the Oxbow subsequent to the restraining order, although he testified on cross-examination he could not identify the specific individuals who were removing the fence. ¶ 28 The District Court had before it ample evidence of Savoy's intent to forcibly detain the disputed property. Testimony indicated Walt Savoy denied Skogen and deputy sheriffs access to the disputed property on the grounds it was private property that belonged to Savoy; Savoy dug a ditch across Skogens' road to deny them access by motor vehicle; Savoy twice called the deputy sheriff complaining of trespass after Orville Skogen had gone to inspect the disputed property; and Savoy cut Hardings' fence in April or May of 2000, rolling back the wire, and putting her own cows on the Oxbow. ¶ 29 Moreover, in the Spring of 2000, Guy Dubois entered onto the disputed land to conduct a survey for Skogens. While assisting with the work, Orville Skogen observed Walter Savoy leaning across a fence post holding a rifle and watching Dubois through the scope of the rifle while he conducted the survey. ¶ 30 In addition, after Savoy built the fence through the Oxbow, Warren Harding, Orville Skogen, and a neighbor, Allen Gagne, along with a deputy sheriff, went to inspect the area where the fence had been built, and were met by the Savoys who told them they were trespassing and that the land was now theirs. Warren Harding testified that, after the encounter, he would not go to the area again. Orville Skogen testified he told his family and employees not to go to the area because it was a hostile environment, and because, when anyone did go into the disputed area, a day or two later a deputy sheriff would arrive informing them they had been accused of trespassing. ¶ 31 In Grenfell, a landlord, believing his tenant breached their lease agreement, entered the leased premises when the tenant was not present and changed the locks. The tenant counterclaimed for forcible entry and forcible detainer. Grenfell, ¶ 12. This Court concluded that, as the district court had ample, credible evidence the landlord broke nothing and entered peaceably and did not thereafter turn the tenant out by force, threats, or menacing conduct, the landlord's actions did not constitute forcible entry. Grenfell, ¶ 56. Regarding the tenant's claim for forcible detainer, we agreed with the district court that the landlord's act of changing the locks effectively terminated the lease agreement, which, in turn, terminated the tenant's rights and obligations under the lease agreement, thus precluding a finding of forcible detainer. Grenfell, ¶¶ 60-61. ¶ 32 Given this Court's definition of force in Grenfell, as not only physical force, but such threats or display of physical force as are reasonably calculated to inspire fear of death or bodily harm, we agree with Savoy that mere wrongful occupation of land or premises  without more  is insufficient to satisfy the statutory requirements for forcible detainer. Grenfell, ¶ 55. However, this Court further stated in Grenfell that whether the circumstances surrounding a defendant's entry constitute violence is a question for the fact finder. Grenfell, ¶ 55. Likewise, whether the circumstances or actions by which one unlawfully holds and keeps the possession of any real property constitutes force or menaces and threats of violence, is also a question for the fact finder. This Court will not overturn a district court's finding unless it is clearly erroneous. Grenfell, ¶ 55 (citing Tungsten Holdings, Inc. v. Olson, 2002 MT 158, ¶ 13, 310 Mont. 374, ¶ 13, 50 P.3d 1086, ¶ 13). ¶ 33 Given our review of the record and the District Court's findings as highlighted above, we cannot conclude that the District Court clearly erred in finding that Savoy used sufficient force to satisfy the forcible detainer statute.