Court Opinion

ID: 9533886
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-07 04:35:18.166042+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:29:12.438851
License: Public Domain

CROCKETT, Justice
(concurring in the result).
I concur in the result arrived at by the main opinion of affirming the judgment. But I would do so on a different basis. If this action is looked upon as it was initiated and pursued by the plaintiff, it is an action in tort, as alleged in her complaint, for “malicious and wanton acts” of the defendants in turning off gas and electricity in her apartment which was injurious to the comfort, health and safety of herself and her two children; and that is what she was awarded the $100 general and $50 punitive damages for.
Plaintiff neither alleges in her complaint, nor was she in fact subjected to or involved in any actual forcible entry or unlawful detainer, or dispossession of her premises. It is true that the phrase “forcible entry” is interpolated into the findings and judgment. But if the entire case is looked at in its essential nature, it is not one brought under, or in reliance on, the Forcible Entry - and Detainer statutes (Chap. 36, Title 78, U.C.A.1953); and thus it is different from the cases cited by the main opinion. Because the essential character of this action is as stated above, I do not think it is governed by the accelerated appeal limitation of Sec. 78-36-11, U.C.A. 1953. On this point it should be of some significance that the defendants did not move to dismiss the appeal on that ground.
Consequent to what I have said above, I would consider the appeal upon its merits. In doing so, it is my opinion that the defendants-appellants have not sustained their burden of showing that the judgment was in error; and that there is ample basis in the record to support the findings and judgment.