Court Opinion

ID: 9527842
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-07 03:34:49.635625+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T13:26:14.912905
License: Public Domain

RANSOM, Justice (dissenting). I respectfully dissent in part. It is inappropriate for this Court to usurp the trial court’s function in assessing damages. Greenfield v. Bruskas, 41 N.M. 346, 354-355, 68 P.2d 921, 926-927 (1937). The testimony on value of the property ranged from $75,000 to $95,000. There was substantial evidence to support a finding of damages anywhere from zero to $20,000. The trial court intended to award and did award $7,200, albeit on faulty factual and legal premises. The case should now be remanded for entry of new findings and conclusions on damages. Additional evidence is not required. On remand, the trial court may give the opinion testimony on property value such weight as it deserves. Lopez v. Heesen, 69 N.M. 206, 365 P.2d 448 (1961); Strickland v. Roosevelt County Rural Elec. Coop., 99 N.M. 335, 657 P.2d 1184 (Ct.App.1982), cert. denied, 99 N.M. 358, 658 P.2d 433 (1983); Rodgers v. City of Loving, 91 N.M. 306, 573 P.2d 240 (Ct.App.1977) (expert opinion on property value may be disregarded in whole or in part even if uncontradicted).