HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-2496CHARLES E. PETRIE, ESQUIRE
ID# 29029
3528 Brisban Street
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17111
(717) 561-1939
RUTH BENDER and
ALICE BEERS,
Plaintiffs
Vs.
DONALD WOOD, SR.,
Defendant
Attorney for Plaintiff
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
CIVIL DIVISION
NUMBER: e9-11-- -J VI&I
CIVIL ACTION - EJECTMENT - 3020
NOTICE
YOU HAVE BEEN SUED IN COURT. If you wish to defend against
the claims set forth in the foregoing pages, you must take action within
twenty (20) days after this Complaint and notice are served by entering a
written appearance personally or by attorney, and filing in writing with
the Court your defenses or objections to the claims set forth against you.
You are warned that if you fail to do so, the case may proceed without
you and a judgment may be entered against you by the Court without
further notice for any money claimed in the Complaint or for any other
claim or relief requested by the Plaintiff. YOU MAY LOSE MONEY OR
PROPERTY OR OTHER RIGHT IMPORTANT TO YOU.
YOU SHOULD TAKE THIS PAPER TO YOUR LAWYER AT ONCE. IF
YOU DO NOT HAVE OR KNOW A LAWYER, THEN YOU SHOULD GO TO
OR TELEPHONE THE OFFICE SET FORTH BELOW TO FIND OUT
WHERE YOU CAN GET LEGAL HELP.
CUMBERLAND COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION
2 LIBERTY AVENUE
CARLISLE, PA 17013
(717) 249-3166
(800) 990-9108
CHARLES E. PETRIE, ESQUIRE
ID# 29029
3528 Brisban Street
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17111
(717) 561-1939
RUTH BENDER and
ALICE BEERS,
Plaintiffs
VS.
DONALD WOOD, SR.,
Defendant
Attorney for Plaintiff
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
CIVIL DIVISION
NUMBER: O q- 0z HR (-
COMPLAINT FOR EJECTMENT
COUNT I - POSSESSION
1. Plaintiffs are RUTH BENDER, who currently resides at 698
Front Street, Enola, Pennsylvania, 17025; and ALICE BEERS, who
currently resides at 199 Fairmont Avenue, West Fairview, Pennsylvania,
17025.
2. Defendant is DONALD WOOD, SR., or occupant, who
currently resides at 700 High Street, West Fairview, Pennsylvania,
17025.
3. Plaintiffs are the equitable owners of premises described as
Parcel 3 on the attached Adjudication and Decree Awarding Real Estate.
A legal description is set forth in said document.
4. Plaintiffs became equitable owners of said premises
pursuant to the attached Adjudication and Decree Awarding Real Estate
dated October 14, 1994.
5. Plaintiffs, by virtue of the above, are the equitable owners of
said premises, and are entitled to possession thereof. The defendant is
occupying the said premises without right, and so far as the Plaintiffs are
informed, without claim of title.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiffs seek to recover possession of said
premises.
COUNT H - DAMAGES
6. Plaintiffs hereby incorporate paragraphs 1 through 5 of this
Complaint as if fully set forth herein.
7. Defendant presently has the following items of personal
property on Plaintiffs premises: tires, batteries, gasoline tanks, junked
motor vehicles, aluminum parts, tractor trailers, tow trucks, rollbacks,
barrels of oil and gasoline, storage containers, school buses, glass,
gasoline and oil tanker trucks, trash and dogs.
8. Plaintiffs require that all of the personal listed above, plus all
other items of personal property belonging to the Defendant that are
located on the property, be removed.
9. Plaintiffs respectfully request that Your Honorable Court enter
judgment in favor of Plaintiffs and against Defendant for any costs
incurred by Plaintiffs to remove Defendant's personal property from the
premises upon Defendant's vacating the premises.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES E. PETRIE
3528 Brisban Street
Harrisburg, PA 17111
(717) 561-1939
Attorney for Plaintiffs
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
COUNTY OF DAUPHIN
We verify that the statements set forth in the foregoing Complaint
are true and correct. We understand that false statements herein are
made subject to the penalties of 18 Pa.C.S. 3294, relating to unsworn
falsification to authorities.
DATE RUTH BENDER
ALICE BEERS
j A TRUE COPY FROkI PC-(',ORD - 1-4" 1 \JTCt,I4
In Testimony wit&-3W, 1 hereunto at my hand huv l 0 9-/5 - 1293 -6/a
and the sea f s^ i.1 Corset n; ."tA-- 1ieio, PA Q 9-lam -f? 93 - 6
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IN RE: PS`.CA`?Fr AYLOYi
WOOD a/k/a A.'%
THE BOROUGH OF?IdT iiVIEW,
COUNTY OF CUM3I BLAND Aim! STATE OF
PENNSYLVANIA, DECEASED.
ADJUDICATION AND DECRE
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IN THE COURT OF COM,1011 PLEAS OF
C'MB-ISLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
ORPHANS? COURT DIVISION.
NO. 21-93-573.
WARDING REAL ESTATE
AND NOW, this. day of October, 1994, no objections having
been filed to the First and Final A-count and Statement of Proposed
Distribution of RUTH BENDER and ALICE BEERS, Executrices of the Last
Will and Testament of ADELBERT MAYLON WOOD a/k/a A. M. WOOD, late of
the Borough of West Fairview, County of Cumberland and State of Penn-
sylvania, deceased, within the time fixed by the Rules of Court, said
Account was confirmed absolutely by this Court on October 11, 1994, and
at the same time, the Schedule of Proposed Distribution was approved
and Distribution was awarded in accordance with said Schedule.
IT IS FU`RTHf1 ADJUDGED AND DECREED, that in accordance with the
said Final Account and Statement of Proposed Distribution as confirmed
by the Court, that the Distribution of the following described real
estate of the decedent is hereby awarded to RUTH BENDER/and ALICE
BEERS, their heirs and assigns, as equal Tenants in Common, to wit:-
PARCEL 1,10. 1.
ALL THOSE CERTAIN four. c4) tracts or Lots of Ground situate
in East Pennsboro Township, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania,
bounded and described as follows:
No. 1. BEGINNING at a point 50.0 feet from the Northwest
corner of a private road and a public road known as River
Road; thence Northwardly along said River Road 50.0 feet to
land now or late of Caleb S. Bri.nton; thence Westwardly at
right angles along said last mentioned land 150.0 feet to a
point in a private alley; thence Southwardly at right angles
along said private alley 50.0 feet to a point; and thence at
right angles Eastwardly along lands now or late of Caleb S.
Brinton 150,0 feet to the point and place of BEGINNING.
BOOK M PACEiI50
-1-
No. 2. All that certain tract of land immediately East of
tract No. 1 above, having a frontage of 50.0 feet on the
River Road and extending at an even width along lands now
or late of Caleb S. Brinton 200.0 feet, more or less, to
low crater mark of the Susquehanna River.
No. 3. BEGINNING at the Northwest corner of a private road,
locally known as Fairmont Road, and a public road known as the
River Road; thence Northward along said River Road 50.0 feet
to lands now or late of Charles P. Prince and Mary G. Prince,
his wife; thence Westward at right angles along lands of the
same 150.0 feet to a point in a private alley; thence Southward
at right angles along said private alley 59.2 feet, more or less,
to the aforesaid private road locally known as Fairmont Road;
thence Eastward along said private road, locally known as
Fairmont Road, a distance of 150.0 feet, more or less, to a
point in the River Road, the place of BEGINNING.
No. 4. ALI, that certain tract of land immediately East of
tract No. 1 herein, having a frontage of 50.0 feet on the River
Road and extending an even width along lands now or late of
Charles P. Prince and Mary G. Prince, his wife, 200.0 feet,
more or less, to low water mark of the Susquehanna River.
BEING the same premises which Charles P. Prince and Mary G.
Prince, his wife, by their Deed dated June 5, 1952 and recorded
in the Cumberland County Recorder's Office in Deed Book "Z",
volume 111, Page 429,-granted and conveyed unto Adelbert 11. Wood
and Catberi.ne E. Wood, his wife. The said Catherine E. Wood
died on June 12, 1961, whereupon sole title in said premises
vested in her husband, Adelbert Maylon Wood, by operation of law.
PARCEL NO. 2.
ALL THOSE CERTAIN two (2) lots of land situate in the Township
of East Pennsboro, County of Cumberland and State of Pennsylvania
bounded and described as follows:
No. 1. BEGINNING at a point on the West side of the public road
known as Front Street extended, at the Northerly line of other
lands of Adelbert M. Wood and Catherine E. Wood, his wife, said
point being located 100.0 feet North of the Northerly line of
Fairmont Street (40 feet wide); thence Westwardly at right angle:
and along the Northerly line of said lands of Adelbert 11. Wood
and Catherine E. Wood, his wife, 150.0 feet to a point; thence
Northwardly parallel with Front Street 50.0 feet to a point;
thence Eastwardly along lands now or late of S. M. Benion 150.0
feet to Front Street extended; thence Southwardly by the latter
line 50.0 feet to the place of BEGINNING.
BOOK 113 F"' li5i
-2-
No. 2 BEGINNING at a point on the East side of the public
road known as Front Street extended, at the Southerly line of
lands of Adelbert 11. Wood and Catherine E. Wood, his wife;
thence Eastwardly along the latter, 125.0 feet, more or less,
to the Susquehanna River Bank; thence Southwardly along the
latter 50.0 feet, more or less, to a stake; thence South 71
degrees West, 127.0 feet, more or less, to Front Street extended;
thence North 21 degrees 51 minutes West along the latter line
25.0 feet, more or less, to the place of BEGINNING.
BEING the same premises which Lemoyne Trust Company and Charles
Ebner, Executors of the Estate of Maude H. Brinton, deceased, by
their Deed dated September 4, 1963 and recorded in the Cumberland
County Recorder's Office in Deed Book "H", Volume 21, Page 302,
granted and conveyed unto Adelbert H. Wood and Catherine E. Wood,
his wife. The said Catherine E. Wood died on June 12, 1961,
whereupon sole title in said premises vested in her husband,
Adelbert Ilaylon Wood, by operation of law.
PARCEL NO. 3.
ALL THAT CERTAIN tract of land situate in East Pennsboro Township
Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, bounded and described as follows
to wit:-
BEGITII•TING at low water mark of the Susquehanna River, at the
Southerly line of property of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company;
thence South 72 degrees West, 131.0 feet to a point on the line
of lands now or late of Manor Real Estate ?- Trust Company; thence
along the same, South 15 degrees 39 minutes East, 236.0 feet,
more or less, to a point; thence by the same, South 72 degrees
West, 700.2 feet to a stone on line of lands of the Northern
Central Railway Company; thence by the latter South 21 degrees
31 minutes East, 917.1 feet to a point; thence along the center
of Fairmont Street, North 63 degrees 15 minutes East, 525.0 feet,
more or less, to land of A. M. Wood; thence along said lands and
lands now or late of Benion Zeigler Sersch, et al, North 21
degrees 51 minutes West, 659.0 feet to a point; thence by lands
now or late of John Anderson in an Easterly direction 150.0 feet
to a point on the West side of a public road; thence by said
public road Northward17 133.0 feet, more or less, to a point;
thence Eastwardly crossing said road and along lands now or late
of Jean Sersch, 230.0 feet, more or less to the Susquehanna Rivex
and thence by the latter Northwardly 249.0 feet, more or less, t<
the point and place of BEGINNING.
EXCEPTING AND EXCLUDING from the above described parcel of land,
a certain Lot of Ground 100 feet by 150 feet conveyed by Adelbert
11. Wood, widower, by his Deed dated June 1, 1981 and recorded in
the Cumberland County Recorder's Office in Deed Book %", Volume
Page 11E0, to his son, Donald 11. Wood, as more particularly shown
on a Subdivision Plan recorded in the Cumberland County Recorder)
Office in Plan Book No. 37, at Page 92.
BOOK iii PACEW2
-3-
BEING the same premises which Russell N. Eberly and
Margaret Eberly, his wife, by their Deed dated September
28, 1961}. and recorded in the Cumberland County Recorder's
Office in Deed Book "IS", Volume 21, Page 126, granted and
conveyed unt Adelbert H. Wood, widower, the within decedent.
By the Court,
/?, 6/ ? cc JLa ?tj
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the precise
grantees is: c/o Alice Beers
516 Enola Road
West Fairview,
residence of the
PA 17025
^nnsylyania SS CD
•,i Cumberland
i ;n the o,Mce for the recording of Deeds °
aa tear rnberland County. Pa
gQ` a!t Vol.' Page ??]Q i
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CHARLES E. PETRIE, ESQUIRE
ID#29029
3528 Brisban Street
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17111
(717) 561-1939
Attorney for Plaintiffs
RUTH BENDER and
ALICE BEERS,
Plaintiffs
VS.
DONALD WOOD, SR.,
Defendant
TO: DONALD WOOD, SR.
DATE OF NOTICE: JULY 22, 2004
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
CIVIL DIVISION
NUMBER: 04-2496 (CIVIL)
IMPORTANT NOTICE
YOU ARE IN DEFAULT BECAUSE YOU HAVE FAILED TO ENTER A WRITTEN
APPEARANCE PERSONALLY OR BY ATTORNEY AND FILE IN WRITING WITH THE
COURT YOUR DEFENSES OR OBJECTIONS TO THE CLAIMS SET FORTH AGAINST
YOU. UNLESS YOU ACT WITHIN TEN DAYS FROM THE ]DATE OF THIS NOTICE YOU
WITHOUT A HEARING AND YOU MAY LOSE YOUR PROPERTY OR OTHER
IMPORTANT RIGHTS. YOU SHOULD TAKE THIS NOTICE TO A LAWYER AT ONCE.
IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A LAWYER OR CANNOT AFFORD ONE, GO TO OR
TELEPHONE THE FOLLOWING OFFICE TO FIND OUT WHERE YOU CAN GET LEGAL
HELP.
CUMBERLAND COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION
2 LIBERTY AVENUE
CARLISLE, PENNSYLVANIA 17013
(800) 990-9108
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TOMASKO & KORANDA, P.C.
By: Michael A. Koranda, Esquire
PA ID #58808
219 State Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101
Phone: (717) 23 8-1100
mkoranda@t-klaw.com
RUTH BENDER and ALICE BEERS,
Plaintiffs,
vs.
Attorneys for Defendant
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
NO. 04-2496 (CIVIL)
DONALD WOOD, SR.
Defendant.
CIVIL ACTION - EQUITY
NOTICE TO PLEAD
TO: Plaintiffs
YOU ARE HEREBY REQUIRED TO FILE A WRITTEN RESPONSE TO THE
ENCLOSED NEW MATTER WITHIN TWENTY (20) DAYS FROM SERVICE
HEREOF OR A JUDGMENT MAY BE ENTERED AGAINST YOU.
ANSWER WITH NEW MATTER
AND COUNTERCLAIM
NOW COMES, Donald Wood, Sr., by and through his attorneys, TOMASKO &
KORANDA, P.C., and avers as follows:
-I-
Count I - Possession
Admitted.
2. Admitted.
3. Denied. The allegations of this paragraph constitute conclusions of law to which
no responsive pleading is required and accordingly, the same are denied and strict proof thereof
is demanded at trial. To the extent that a responsive pleading is required, after reasonable
investigation, answering Defendant is without knowledge or information sufficient to form a
belief as to the truth of the matters asserted and accordingly, the same are denied and strict proof
thereof is demanded at trial.
4. Denied. The allegations of this paragraph constitute conclusions of law to which
no responsive pleading is required and accordingly, the same are denied and strict proof thereof
is demanded at trial. To the extent that a responsive pleading is required, after reasonable
investigation, answering Defendant is without knowledge or information sufficient to form a
belief as to the truth of the matters asserted and accordingly, the same are denied and strict proof
thereof is demanded at trial.
5. Denied. The allegations of this paragraph constitute conclusions of law to which
no responsive pleading is required and accordingly, the same are denied and strict proof thereof
is demanded at trial. To the extent that a responsive pleading is required, after reasonable
investigation, answering Defendant is without knowledge or information sufficient to form a
belief as to the truth of the matters asserted and accordingly, the same are denied and strict proof
thereof is demanded at trial.
WHEREFORE, Defendant, Donald Wood, Sr., demands judgement in his favor and
-2-
against Plaintiffs, Ruth Bender and Alice Beers, with costs of suit and any other relief which may
be necessary and proper.
Count 11- Damages
6. Paragraph Nos. 1 through 5 above are incorporated herein by reference as if set
forth at length below.
7. Denied. The allegations of this paragraph constitute conclusions of law to which
no responsive pleading is required and accordingly, the same are denied and strict proof thereof
is demanded at trial. To the extent that a responsive pleading is required, answering Defendant
avers that Plaintiffs never objected to the placement of the enumerated items on "Plaintiffs [sic)
premises."
8. No response required.
9. No response required.
WHEREFORE, Defendant, Donald Wood, Sr., demands judgement in his favor and
against Plaintiffs, Ruth Bender and Alice Beers, with costs of suit and any other relief which may
be necessary and proper.
NEWS
10. Paragraph Nos. 1 through 8 above are incorporated herein by reference as if set
forth at length below.
11. Plaintiffs' claims are barred by the doctrine of latches.
12. Plaintiffs' Complaint fails to state a cause of action upon which relief may be
granted.
13. Answering Defendant made substantial and costly improvements to the parcel of
-3-
land at issue in this litigation, including the erection of a large building, the creation of a 80'
macadam driveway, and the installation of 100' electrical connection. Plaintiffs had actual
knowledge of these improvements and never voiced any objecting to same. To the extent that
these improvements were made on or to realty belonging to Plaintiffs, Plaintiffs would be
unjustly enriched by keeping or retaining same.
WHEREFORE, Defendant, Donald Wood, Sr., demands judgement in his favor and
against Plaintiffs, Ruth Bender and Alice Beers, with costs of suit and any other relief which may
be necessary and proper.
COUNTERCLAIM
NOW COMES Counterclaim Plaintiff, Donald Wood, Sr., by and through his attorneys,
TOMASKO & KORANDA, P.C., and avers as follows:
Count I - Unjust Enrichment
Donald Wood Sr. v. Ruth Bender and Alice Beers
14. Paragraph 1 through 13 above are incorporated herein by reference as if set forth
at length below.
15. Counterclaim Plaintiff believes, and therefore avers, that the replacement cost
and/or value of the improvements identified in Paragraph 13 amounts to approximately
$40,000.00.
16. To the extent that these improvements were made on or to realty belonging to
Plaintiffs, Plaintiffs would be unjustly enriched by keeping or retaining same.
WHEREFORE, Counterclaim Plaintiff, Donald Wood, Sr., demands judgement in his
favor and against Counterclaim Defendants, Ruth Bender and Alice Beers, for the replacement
-4-
costs and/or value of the improvements made to the property, with costs of suit and any other
relief which may be necessary and proper.
Respectfully submitted,
TOMASKO & KORANDA, P.C.
219 State Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101
Telephone: (717) 238-1100
By:
MICHAEL A. KORANDA
PA ID #58808
-5-
VERIFICATION
I verify that the statements made in the attached ANSWER WITH NEW MATTER
AND COUNTERCLAIM are true and correct to the best of my knowledge, information and
belief. I understand that false statements herein are made subject to penalties of 18 pa. C.S.
§4904 relating to unswom falsification to authorities.
DATED: 30-t7 D,
DONALD WO , SR.
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
AND NOW, this nalday of 2004, I, Michael A. Koranda,
Esquire, attorney for the Defendant/Counterclaim Plaintiff, Donald Wood, Sr., hereby certify that
I served the within ANSWER WITH NEW MATTER AND COUNTERCLAIM this day by:
U.S. Mail, first class, postage prepaid, addressed to:
Charles E. Petrie, Esquire
3528 Brisban Street
Harrisburg, PA 17111
By:
MIC AEL A. KORANDA
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CHARLES E. PETRIE, ESQUIRE
ID# 29029
3528 Brisban Street
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17111
(717) 561-1939
RUTH BENDER and
ALICE BEERS,
Plaintiffs
Vs.
DONALD WOOD, SR.,
Defendant
Attorney for Plaintiff
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
CIVIL DIVISION
NUMBER: 04-2496 CIVIL
REPLY TO NEW MATTER AND COUNTERCLAIM
NOW COME the Plaintiffs, RUTH BENDER and ALICE BEERS, by
and through their attorney, Charles E. Petrie, and respectfully answer
Defendant's New Matter and Counterclaim as follows:
10. No responsive pleading required.
11. Denied. Plaintiffs' claims are not barred by the doctrine of
laches.
12. Denied. Plaintiffs' Complaint states a cause of action upon
which relief may be granted.
13. Admitted in part and denied in part. It is admitted that
Defendant performed labor for improvements on the property; it is denied
that Defendant made "substantial and costly" improvements. Plaintiffs
owned the material for the building prior to Defendant's construction.
Plaintiffs did not have actual knowledge of the improvements prior to the
work being completed. Plaintiffs would not be unjustly enriched by
keeping and retaining the improvements.
14. No responsive pleading required.
15. Denied. After reasonable investigation, Plaintiffs are without
knowledge or information sufficient to form a belief as to the truth of the
matter asserted and accordingly, the same is denied and strict proof
thereof is demanded at trial.
16. Denied. Plaintiffs would not be unjustly enriched by keeping
or retaining the improvements because the material belonged to the
Plaintiffs prior to construction.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiffs respectfully request that Your Honorable
Court dismiss Defendant's Counterclaim.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES E. PETRIE
3528 Brisban Street
Harrisburg, PA 17111
(717) 561-1939
Attorney for Defendants
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
COUNTY OF DAUPHIN
I verify that the statements in the foregoing Reply to New Matter and
Counterclaim are true and correct. I understand thiat false statements herein
are made subject to the penalties of 18 Pa.C.S. Section 4904, relating to
unsworn falsification to authorities.
DATE
ALICE BEERS
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PRAECIPE FOR LISTING CASE FOR TRIAL
TO THE PROTHONOTARY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY
Please list the following case:
(Check one) ( ) for JURY trial at the next term of civil court.
(XX ) for trial without a jury.
-----------------------------------------
CAPTION OF CASE
(entire caption must be stated in full) (check one)
(XX) Civil Action - Law
( ) Appeal from Arbitration
RUTH BENDER and
ALICE BEERS,
Vs.
(Must be typewritten and submitted in duplicate)
(Plaintiff)
(other)
The trial list will be called on
and
DONALD WOOD, SR.,
VS.
(Defendant)
Trials commence on
Pretrials will be held on
(Briefs are due 5 days before pretrials.)
(The party listing this case for trial shall
provide forthwith a copy of the praecipe to
all counsel, pursuant to local Rule 214.1.)
No. Civil 2496 Jq12004
Indicate the attorney who will try case for the party who files this praecipe:
Charles E. Petrie, Esquire
Indicate trial counsel for other parties if known: Ronald T. TomASKO,
Esqui re
This case is ready for trial. Signed:
/,?t_? ?-
Print Name: Charles E. Petrie
Date: 4/5/2007 Attorney for: Plaintiffs
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RUTH BENDER and IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
ALICE BEERS, CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Plaintiffs
V. CIVIL ACTION - LAW
DONALD WOOD, SR.,
Defendant NO. 04-2496 CIVIL TERM
IN RE: NONJURY TRIAL
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, this 10th day of April, 2007, upon the Praecipe for Listing Case for
Trial filed in the above matter on April 6, 2007, a nonjury trial is scheduled for Monday,
August 6, 2007, at 9:30 a.m., in Courtroom No. 1, Cumberland County Courthouse,
Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
BY THE COURT,
G
J. esley Oler, r., J.
/harles E. Petrie, Esq.
3528 Brisban Street
Harrisburg, PA 17111
Attorney for Plaintiffs
ionald T. Tomasko, Esq.
219 State Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101
Attorney for Defendant
Court Administrator --`"ele6el"ll
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CC ,G III Z i VdV ZODZ
RUTH BENDER and ALICE BEERS,
Plaintiffs .
v
DONALD WOOD, SR.,
Defendant .
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
CIVIL ACTION - EQUITY
04-2496 CIVIL TERM
IN RE: PLAINTIFFS' COMPLAINT FOR EJECTMENT & DEFENDANT'S
COUNTERCLAIM FOR UNJUST ENRICHMENT
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, this 6th day of August, 2007, upon
consideration of Plaintiffs' Complaint for Ejectment in the
above-captioned matter and of Defendant's Counterclaim for unjust
enrichment, and following a nonjury trial, the record is declared
closed, and the matter is taken under advisement.
vCharles E. Petrie, Esquire
3528 Brisban Street
Harrisburg, PA 17111
For Plaintiffs
/onald T. Tomasko, Esquire
3401 North Front Street
P.O. Box 5950
Harrisburg, PA 17110-0950
For Defendant
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By the Court,
C 1 :01 WV L- SnV LOOZ
?b'1C?NOMI.LUUd 3HI JO
M-4ry?-a-MIJ
RUTH BENDER and IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
ALICE BEERS, CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Plaintiffs
V. CIVIL ACTION - LAW
DONALD WOOD, SR.,
Defendant NO. 04-2496 CIVIL TERM
VERDICT
AND NOW, this 7th day of August, 2007, upon consideration of Plaintiffs'
Complaint for Ejectment, and of Defendant's Counterclaim for unjust enrichment, and
following a nonjury trial held on August 6, 2007, it is ordered and directed as follows:
1. On Plaintiffs' Complaint for Ejectment, the Court finds in favor
of Plaintiffs and against Defendant, and Defendant is directed to
vacate the property described in Plaintiffs' Exhibit 1 (attached hereto),
and to remove all personalty in his possession therefrom, within 60
days of the date of this order; and
2. On Defendant's Counterclaim for unjust enrichment, the Court
finds in favor of Plaintiffs and against Defendant.
BY THE COUR'
Wesley
./harles E. Petrie, Esq.
3528 Brisban Street
Harrisburg, PA 17111
Attorney for Plaintiff
Xonald T. Tomasko, Esq.
219 State Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101
Attorney for Defendant
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IN RE: S`.?A`_,_ .:?YLON IN TILE, COURT OF COMI,IOIT PLEAS OF
WOOD a/Tc/a A.'f,'?=..? ?,$ E OF CMM-.?RLATM COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
THE BOROUGI3 OF ?VA!IZ TIEW OR MAINS t COURT DIVISION.
COUNTY OF CMIM ERLAND A Fi STATE OF : .
PENNSYLVANIA, DECEASED. .: NO. 21-93-573•
ADJUDICATION AND DECREE AWARDING REAL ESTATE
AND NOW, this /17k? day of October, 1994, no objections having
been filed to the First and Final A^count and Statement of Proposed
Distribution of RUTH BENDER and ALICE BARS, El,ecutrices of the Last
Will and Testament of ADELBERT MAYLON WOOD a/k/a A. M. WOOD, late of
the Borough of West Fairview, County of Cumberland and State of Penn-
Sylvania, deceased, within the time fixed by the Rules of Court, said
Account was confirmed absolutely by this Court on October 11, 1994, and
at the same time, the Schedule of Proposed Distribution was approved
and Distribution was awarded in accordance with said Schedule.
IT IS FLTRT=- ADJUDGED AND DECREED, that in accordance with the
said Final Account and Statement of Proposed Distribution as confirmed
by the Court, that the Distribution of the following described real
estate of the decedent is hereby awarded to RUTH BENDER/and ALICE
BEERS, their heirs and assigns, as equal Tenants in Common, to wit:-
PARCEL 1d0. 1.
ALL THOSE CERTAIN four (4; tracts or Lots of Ground situate
in East Pennsboro Township, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania,
bounded and described as follows:
G No. 1. BEGINNING at a point 50.0 feet from the Northwest
s @borner of a private road and a public road known as River
$2 noad; thence Northwardly along said River Road 50,0 feet to
c04 'g-land now or late of Caleb S. Brinton; thence westwardly at
right angles along said last mentioned land 150.0 feet to a
°epoint in a private alley; thence Southwardly at right angles
-, C.
LU along said private alley 50.0 feet to a point; and thence at
E 16
Bright angles Eastwardly along lands now or late of Caleb S.
$o 2.6
oa>o :EBrinton 150.0 feet to the point and place of BEGINNING.
r
EE PLAINTIFF'S
o ¢ o o r _ EXHIBIT
_ U o00K M ?AcEii,50
No. 2. All that certain tract of land immediately East of
tract No. 1 above, having a frontage of 50.0 feet on the
River Road and extending at an even width along lands now
or late of Caleb S. Brinton 200.0 feet, more or less, to
low water mark of the Susquehanna River.
No. 3. BEGINNTI.TG at the Northwest corner of a private road,
locally known as Fairmont Road, and a public road known as the
River Road; thence Northward along said River Road 50.0 feet
to lands now or late of Charles P. Prince and Mary G. Prince,
his wife; thence Westward at right angles along lands of the
same 150.0 feet to a point in a private alley; thence Southward
at right angles along; said private alley 59.2 feet, more or less,
to the aforesaid private road locally known as Fairmont Road;
thence Eastward along said private road, locally known as
Fairmont Road, a distance of 150.0 feet, more or less, to a
point in the River Road, the place of BEGINNING.
No. L?. ALL that certain tract of land immediately East of
tract No. 1 herein, having a frontage of 50.0 feet on the River
Road and extending an even width along lands now or late of
Charles P. Prince and l,lary G. Prince, his wife, 200,0 feet,
more or 'Less, to low water mark of the Susquehanna River.
BEING the same premises which Charles P. Prince and Mary G.
Prince, his wife, by their Deed dated June 5, 1952 and recorded
in the Cumberland County Recorder's Office in Deed Book "Z",
volume 14, Page 429,--granted and conveyed unto Adelbert 14. Wood
and Catherine E. Wood, his wife. The said Catherine E. Wood
died on June 12, 1961, whereupon sole title in said premises
vested in her husband, Adelbert Maylon Wood, by operation of law.
PARCEL NO. 2.
ALL THOSE CERTAIN two (2) lots of land situate in the Township
of East Pennsboro, County of Cumberland and State of Pennsylvania,
bounded and described as follows:
No. 1. BEGINNING at a point on the West side of the public road
known as Front Street extended, at the Northerly line of other
lands of Adelbert H. Wood and Catherine E. Wood, his wife, said
point being located 100.0 feet North of the Northerly line of
Fairmont Street (40 feet wide); thence Westwardly at right angles
and along the Northerly line of said lands of Adelbert M. Wood
and Catherine E. Wood, his wife, 150.0 feet to a point; thence
Northwardly parallel with Front Street 50.0 feet to a point;
thence Eastwardly along lands now or late of S. 11. Benion 150.0
feet to Front Street extended; thence Southwardly by the latter
line 50.0 feet to the place of BEGINNING.
BOOK 10 F',?? i5i
-2-
No. 2 BEGINNING at a point on the East side of the public
road known as Front Street extended, at the Southerly line of
lands of Adelbert I4. Wood and Catherine E. Wood, his wife;
thence Eastwardly along the latter, 125.0 feet, more or less,
to the Susquehanna River Bank; thence Southwardly along the
latter 50.0 feet, more or less, to a stake; thence South 71
degrees West, 127.0 feet, more or less, to Front Street: extended;
thence North 21 degrees 51 minutes West along the latter line
25.0 feet, more or less, to the place of BEGINNING.
BEING the same premises which Lemoyne Trust Company and Charles
Ebner, Executors of the Estate of Maude H. Brinton, deceased, by
their Deed dated September 1i., 1963 and recorded in the Cumberland
County Recorderts Office in Deed Book "H", Volume 21, Page 302,
granted and conveyed unto Adelbert M. Wood and Catherine E. Wood,
his wife. The said Catherine E. Wood died on June 12, 1961,
whereupon sole title in said premises vested in her husband,
Adelbert I-Iaylon Wood, by operation of law.
PARCEL NO. 3.
ALL TKkT CERTAIN tract of land situate in East Pennsboro Township,
Cumberland County, Pennsylvania., bounded and described as follows,
to wit: -
BEGINNING at low water mark of the Susquehanna River, at the
Southerly line of property of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company;
thence South 72 degrees West, 131.0 feet to a point on the line
of lands now or late of Manor Real Estate & Trust Company; thence
along the same, South 15 degrees 39 minutes East, 236.0 feet,
more or less, to a point; thence by the same, South 72 degrees
West, 700.2 feet to a stone on line of lands of the Northern
Central Railway Company; thence by the latter South 21 degrees
31 minutes East, 917.1 feet to a point; thence along the center
of Fairmont Street, North 63 degrees 15 minutes East, 525.0 feet,
more or less, to land of A. M. Wood; thence along said lands and
lands now or late of Benion Zeigler Sersch, et al, North 21
degrees 51 minutes West, 659.0 feet to a point; thence by lands
now or late of John Anderson in an Easterly direction 150.0 feet
to a point on the West side of a public road; thence by said
public road Northti•rardly 133.0 feet, more or less, to a point;
thence Eastwardly crossing said road and along lands now or late
of Jean Sersch, 230.0 feet, more or less to the Susquehanna River;
and thence by the latter Northwardly 249.0 feet, more or less, to
the point and place of BEGINNING.
EXCEPTING AND EXCLUDING from the above described parcel of land,
a certain Lot of Ground 100 feet by 150 feet conveyed by Adelbert
11. Wood, widower, by his Deed dated June 1, 1981 and recorded in
the Cumberland County Recorderts Office in Deed Book "L", Volume 2c
Page 110, to his son, Donald M. Wood, as more particularly shown
on a Subdivision Plan recorded in the Cumberland County Recorder's
Office in Flan Book No. 37, at Page 92.
coax VL3 Pwii52
-3-
BEING the same premises wtaich Russell N. Eberly and
Margaret Eberly, his wife, by their Deed dated September
28, 1961}. and recorded in the Cumberland County Recorderts
Office in Deed Book "K", Volume 21, Page 126, granted and
conveyed unt Adelbert ICI. [good, widower, the within decedent.
By the Court,
P. J.
i HEREBY CERTIFY that the precise
grantees is: c/o Alice Beers
516 Enola Road
West Fairview,
residence of the
PA 17025
1--n nsyWania SS
> "Urn ierland -" -
i r she olffice for the recording of Deeds ° c; <
:; -t'or mberland Count , Pa
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Pace
Vol.
r?y hand and seal of office of
R o r co
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aoox 113 PAGAi53
-4-
Ronald T. Tomasko, Esquire
Sup. Ct. I.D. No. 61190
METTE, EVANS & WOODSIDE
3401 North Front Street
P.O. Box 5950
Harrisburg, PA 17110-0950
(717) 232-5000
rttomasko@mette.com
RUTH BENDER and
ALICE BEERS,
Plaintiffs
V.
DONALD WOOD, SR.,
Defendant.
COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND CO., PENNSYLVANIA
CIVIL DIVISION
: NO. 04-2496-CIVIL
DEFENDANT'S MOTION FOR POST-TRIAL RELIEF
AND NOW comes the Defendant, Donald Wood, Sr., by and through his attorney,
Ronald T. Tomasko, Esquire, of Mette, Evans & Woodside, P.C., and files the following Motion
for Post-Trial Relief and, in support thereof, avers as follows:
1. A bench trial was held on this matter on August 6, 2007.
2. On August 13, 2007, Defendant's counsel was served with a copy of the Court's
August 7, 2007 verdict finding in favor of the Plaintiffs.
3. The Court's verdict made no mention of the substantial improvements that the
Defendant made to the parcel in question, including the building (and purchase) of a pole
building, a macadam driveway and an extension of the electric service.
4. The Court's verdict makes no mention of the Eight Thousand Dollar ($8,000.00)
plus in cash payments that the Defendant made to the Plaintiffs.
5. The above issues were preserved by counsel for the Defendant at the pre-trial
conference with the Court, and during the parties' closing arguments at the time of trial.
6. Pursuant to Pa. R.C.P. 227.3, the Defendant requests that the August 6, 2007
bench trial be transcribed in order to enable the Court to dispose of the Motion.
WHEREFORE, the Defendant, pursuant to Pa. R.C.P. 227. 1, respectfully requests that
the Court affirm, modify or change its order to reflect that the Defendant should be compensated
for the improvements to the parcel and/or cash payments made to the Plaintiffs.
Respectfully su
METTE, EVAnS 4/NOODSIDE
By:
Ronald T. Tomasko, Esquire
Attorney I.D. No. 61190
3401 North Front Street
P.O. Box 5950
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17110-0950
(717) 232-5000
(717) 236-1816 (fax)
rttomasko@mette.com
Attorney for Defendant
2
I
Ronald T. Tomasko, Esquire
Sup. Ct. I.D. No. 61190
METTE, EVANS & WOODSIDE
3401 North Front Street
P.O. Box 5950
Harrisburg, PA 17110-0950
(717) 232-5000
rttomasko@mette.com
RUTH BENDER and
ALICE BEERS,
V.
DONALD WOOD, SR.,
Plaintiff,
Defendant.
COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND CO., PENNSYLVANIA
CIVIL DIVISION
NO. 04-2496-CIVIL
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
AND NOW, this 16th day of August, 2007, I, RONALD T. TOMASKO, ESQUIRE,
herby certify that I served the within DEFENDANT'S MOTION FOR POST-TRIAL
RELIEF on this day by depositing same into the United States mail, postage paid, in the post
office located in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania addressed to:
Curt Long, Prothonotary
Court of Common Pleas of Cumberland County
Cumberland County Courthouse
1 Courthouse Square
Carlisle, Pennsylvania 17013
J. Wesley Oler, Judge
Court of Common Pleas
1 Courthouse Square
Carlisle, Pennsylvania 17013
477133vl
Charles E. Petrie, Esquire
3528 Brisban Street
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17111
& WOOD91DE
OA4
T. Tomasko, Esquire
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CHARLES E. PETRIE, ESQUIRE
ID# 29029
3528 Brisban Street
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17111
(717) 561-1939
Attorney for Plaintiff
RUTH BENDER and
ALICE BEERS,
Vs.
Plaintiffs
DONALD WOOD, SR.,
Defendant
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
CIVIL DIVISION
NUMBER: 04-2496 CIVIL
ANSWER TO DEFENDANT'S MOTION FOR POST-TRIAL RELIEF
NOW COME the Plaintiffs, RUTH BENDER and ALICE BEERS, by
and through their attorney, Charles E. Petrie, and respectfully answer
Defendant's Motion for Post-Trial Relief as follows:
1. Admitted.
2. Admitted.
3. Denied. The matters set forth in this paragraph were addressed
in paragraph 2 of the Court's verdict, finding for Plaintiff and against
Defendant on Defendant's Counterclaim for unjust enrichment.
4. Denied. The matters set forth in this paragraph were addressed
in paragraph 2 of the Court's verdict, finding for Plaintiff and against
Defendant on Defendant's Counterclaim for unjust enrichment.
5. Admitted.
6. No responsive pleading required.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiffs respectfully request that Your Honorable
Court dismiss Defendant's Motion for Post-Trial Relief.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES E. PETRIE
3528 Brisban Street
Harrisburg, PA 17111
(717) 561-1939
Attorney for Defendants
s
t
CHARLES E. PETRIE, ESQUIRE
ID# 29029 Attorney for Plaintiff
3528 Brisban Street
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17111
(717) 561-1939
RUTH BENDER and : IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
ALICE BEERS, : CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Plaintiffs : CIVIL DIVISION
Vs.
NUMBER: 04-2496 CIVIL
DONALD WOOD, SR.,
Defendant
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I certify that on August 22, 2007, I served a copy of the foregoing
Answer to Defendant's Motion for Post-Trial Relief upon counsel for the
Defendant, Ronald T. Tomasko, Esquire, at his law offices at 3401 North
Front Street, P.O. Box 5950, Harrisburg, PA 17110-0950, by U.S. Postal
Service First Class Mail, postage prepaid.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES E. PETRIE
3528 Brisban Street
Harrisburg, PA 17111
(717) 561-1939
Sup Ct. ID No. 29029
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RUTH BENDER and IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
ALICE BEERS, CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Plaintiffs
V. CIVIL ACTION - LAW
DONALD WOOD, SR., :
Defendant NO. 04-2496 CIVIL TERM
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, this 27th day of August, 2007, upon consideration of Defendant's
Motion for Post-Trial Relief, and of Plaintiffs' Answer to Defendant's Motion for Post-
Trial Relief, oral argument is scheduled for Thursday, October 11, 2007, at 1:30 p.m., in
Courtroom No. 1, Cumberland County Courthouse, Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Briefs are
due 5 days prior to that date.
-Charles E. Petrie, Esq.
3528 Brisban Street
Harrisburg, PA 17111
Attorney for Plaintiffs
Ronald T. Tomasko, Esq.
3401 N. Front Street
P.O. Box 5950
Harrisburg, PA 17110-0950
Attorney for Defendant
A
BY THE COURT,
. Wesley Oler, Jr., J.
Sri v tt i ` ? IN',d
01:Z Wd LZ 00V LOOI
?' ri- Iq IL
0 t
Ronald T. Tomasko, Esquire
Sup. Ct. I.D. No. 61190
METTE, EVANS & WOODSIDE
3401 North Front Street
P.O. Box 5950
Harrisburg, PA 17110-0950
(717) 232-5000
rttomasko@mette.com
RUTH BENDER and
ALICE BEERS,
COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND CO., PENNSYLVANIA
Plaintiff,
V. CIVIL DIVISION
DONALD WOOD, SR., NO. 04-2496-CIVIL
Defendant.
AND NOW, this 24th day of August, 2007, I, RONALD T. TOMASKO, ESQUIRE,
herby certify that I served the within ORDER on this day by depositing same into the United
States mail, postage paid, in the post office located in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania addressed to:
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
Curt Long, Prothonotary
Court of Common Pleas of Cumberland County
Cumberland County Courthouse
1 Courthouse Square
Carlisle, Pennsylvania 17013
J. Wesley Oler, Judge
Court of Common Pleas
1 Courthouse Square
Carlisle, Pennsylvania 17013
Charles E. Petrie, Esqi
3528 Brisban Street
Harrisburg, Pennsylva
477475v1
rV
RUTH BENDER and IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
ALICE BEERS, CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Plaintiffs
V. CIVIL ACTION - LAW
DONALD WOOD, SR.,
Defendant NO. 04-2496 CIVIL TERM
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, this 12`h day of October, 2007, upon consideration of Defendant's
Motion for Post-Trial Relief, and following oral argument held on October 11, 2007,
Defendant's Motion for Post-Trial Relief is denied.
Y arles E. Petrie, Esq.
3528 Brisban Street
Harrisburg, PA 17111
Attorney for Plaintiff
onald T. Tomasko, Esq.
219 State Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101
Attorney for Defendant
:rc
A
BY THE COURT,
J esley Ober Jr., J.
C? :I Pd Z 1 130 loot
6 in
30H-111 0--ri-31#i
: IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
: CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
: CIVIL DIVISION
NUMBER: 04-2496 CIVIL
PRAECIPE FOR WRIT OF POSSESSION
NOW COME the Plaintiffs, Ruth Bender and Alice Beers, by and
CHARLES E. PETRIE, ESQUIRE
ID# 29029
3528 Brisban Street
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17111
(717) 561-1939
Attorney for Plaintiff
RUTH BENDER and
ALICE BEERS,
Vs.
Plaintiffs
DONALD WOOD, SR.,
Defendant
through their attorney, Charles E. Petrie, and respectfully represent as
follows:
1. That on August 7, 2007, a Verdict was handed down by the
Honorable J. Wesley Oler, Jr., a copy of which is attached hereto,
directing the above Defendant, DONALD WOOD, SR., "to vacate the
premises described in Plaintiffs' Exhibit 1 (attached hereto) and to
remove all personalty in his possession therefrom, within 60 days of the
date of this order."
2. Sixty days have passed since the entry of the Order.
3. Defendant has not vacated the property, nor has he removed
his personalty from the premises.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiffs respectfully request that an Order of
Possession be entered against the Defendant, DONALD WOOD, SR., for
possession by the Plaintiffs of the premises described in the Exhibit
attached hereto.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES E. PETRIE
3528 Brisban Street
Harrisburg, PA 17111
(717) 561-1939
Attorney for Defendants
%
RUTH BENDER and IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
ALICE BEERS, CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Plaintiffs
V. CIVIL ACTION - LAW
DONALD WOOD, SR., :
Defendant NO. 04-2496 CIVIL TERM
VERDICT
AND NOW, this 7`n day of August, 2007, upon consideration of Plaintiffs'
Complaint for Ejectment, and of Defendant's Counterclaim for unjust enrichment, and
following a nonjury trial held on August 6, 2007, it is ordered and directed as follows:
1. On Plaintiffs' Complaint for Ejectment, the Court finds in favor
of Plaintiffs and against Defendant, and Defendant is directed to
vacate the property described in Plaintiffs' Exhibit 1 (attached hereto),
and to remove all personalty in his possession therefrom, within 60
days of the date of this order; and
2. On Defendant's Counterclaim for unjust enrichment, the Court
finds in favor of Plaintiffs and against Defendant.
BY THE COUR
Wesley e Jr.,
C rles E. Petrie, Esq.
528 Brisban Street
Harrisburg, PA 17111
Attorney for Plaintiff
Ronald T. Tomasko, Esq.
219 State Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101
Attorney for Defendant
1 of 2
WRIT OF POSSESSION (Ejectment Proceedings PRCP3160-3165 etc.)
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Ruth Bender
698 Front Street, Enola, Pa. 17025
and Alice Beers
199 Fairmont Avenue, W. Fairview, Pa. 17025
VS. No. 04-2496 Civil Term
Donald Wood, Sr.
700 High Street
West Fairview, Pa. 17025
Costs
Attorney's $ 159.35
Plaintiff's $
Prothonotary $ 2.00
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA:
COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND:
To the Sheriff of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania
(1) To satisfy the judgment for possession in the above matter you are directed to deliver
possession of the following described property to: (Plaintiff (s))
Ruth Bender 698 Front Street, Enola, Pa. 17025 and Alice Beers 199 Fairmont Avenue, W.
Fairview, Pa. 17025
being: (Premises as follows):
See Attachment
(2) To satisfy the costs against the defendant (s) you are directed to levy upon any
property of the defendant (s) and sell his/her (or their) interest therein.
u s R. Long, Prothonotary /-?'
Common Pleas Court of Cumberland County, PA
Date October 29, 2007
(Seal)
2of2
No Civil Term
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Ruth Bender and Alice Beers
Donald Wood Sr
VS.
WRIT OF POSSESSION
P.R.C.P. 3160-3165 ETC.
Costs
Att'y $ 159.35
Plff (s) $
Prothy $ 2.00
Sheriff $
Plaintiff (s) attorney name and address:
Chrles e. Petrie, kEsq.
3528 Brisban Street
Harrisburg, Pa. 17111
Attorney for Plaintiff (s)
Where papers may be served
By virtue of this writ, on the day of . I caused the within
named , to have possession of the premises described with the
appurtenances, and
Sworn and subscribed to before me this
Day of ,
Prothonotary
So Answers,
Sheriff
By
Deputy
In Testimony yrftc Hof, I hF.? _?:!ntt? at my hand
and the seal of 3a c r r?.?a '; iis;??, PA
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IN RE: L:S'.lA°,. ,v A?_'"LOPI IN TILE COURT OF COM110I1 PLEAS OF
WOOD a/k/a •A.'?'?? OF CURB T;T,LAI COUPITY, PENNSYLVANIA.
THE BOROUGH OF 7 ?.Iii I W.? ORPIL4NS 1 COURT DIVISION.
COUNTY OF CMU37MLAND AID' STATE OF
PENNSYLVANIA, DECEASED. NO. 21-93-573-
ADJUDICATION AND DECREE AWARDING REAL ESTATE
AND NOW, this j?„ day of October, 1994, no objections having
been filed to the First and Final A-count and Statement of Proposed
Distribution of RUTH BENDER and ALICE B EIRS, E,cecutrices of the Last
Will and Testament of ADELBERT MAYLON WOOD a/k/a A. M. WOOD, late of
the Borough of West Fairview, County of Cumberland and State of Penn-
sylvania, deceased, within the time fixed by the Rules of Court, said
Account was confirmed absolutely by this Court on October 11, 1994, and
at the same time, the Schedule of Proposed Distribution was approved
and Distribution was awarded in accordance with said Schedule.
IT IS FLTRTHMI ADJUDGED AND DECREED, that in accordance with the
said Final Account and Statement of Proposed Distribution as confirmed
by the Court, that the Distribution of the following described real
estate of the decedent is hereby awarded to RUTH BENDER/and ALICE
BEERS, their heirs and assigns, as equal Tenants in Common, to wit:--
PARCEL NO. 1.
ALL THOSE CERTAIN four. (4) tracts or Lots of Ground situate
in East Pennsboro Township, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania,
bounded and described as follows:
r a No. 1. BEGINNING at a point 50.0 feet from the Northwest
t "borner of a private road and a public road known as River
$ 2 SO n oad; thence Northwardly along said River Road 50.0 feet to
Q o caa island now or late of Caleb S. Brinton; thence Westwardly at
A
a 'right angles along said last mentioned hand 150.0 feet to a
•a 7F °.epoint in a private alley; thence Southwardly at right angles
e ga >% along said private alley 50.0 feet to a point; and thence at
f$oaa16 Bright angles Eastwardly along lands now or late of Caleb S.
oa a a>54 EBrinton 150.0 feet to the point and place of BEGINNING.
r
a - v PLAINTIFF'S
o Cr m o j, EXHIBIT
_ BooK fiu PAGEii5Q
v?^-?
-1- U -C-1
i
No. 2. All that certain tract of land immediately East of
tract No. 1 above, having a frontage of 50.0 feet on the
River Road and extending at an even width along lands now
or late of Caleb S. Brinton 200.0 feet, more or less, to
low water mark of the Susquehanna River.
No. 3. BEGINNING at the Northwest corner of a private road,
locally known as Fairmont Road, and a public road known as the
River Road; thence Northward along said River Road 50.0 feet
to lands now or late of Charles P. Prince and Mary G. Prince,
his wife; thence Westward at right angles along lands of the
same 150.0 feet to a point in a private alley; tiaence Southward
at right angles along; said private alley 59.2 feet, more or less,
to the aforesaid private road locally known as Fairmont Road;
thence Eastward along said private road, locally known as
Fairmont Road, a distance of 150.0 feet, more or-less, to a
point in the River Road, the place of BEGINNING.
No. L?. ALL that certain tract of land immediately East of
tract No. 1 herein, having a frontage of 50.0 feet on the River
Road and extending an even width along lands now or late of
Charles P. Prince and Mary G. Prince, his wife, 200.0 feet,
more or less, to low water mark of the Susquehanna River.
BEING the same premises which Charles P. Prince and Mary G.
Prince, his wife, by their Deed dated June 5, 1952 and recorded
in the Cumberland County Recorderts Office in Deed Book "Z",
Volume 11?, Page 429, -- granted and conveyed unto Adelbert 11. Wood
and Catberi.ne E. Wood., his wife. The said Catherine E. Wood
died on June 12, 1961, whereupon sole title in said premises
vested in her husband, Adelbert Maylon Wood, by operation of law.
PARCEL NO. 2.
ALL THOSE CERTAIN two (2) lots of land situate in the Township
of East Pennsboro, County of Cumberland and State of Pennsylvania,
bounded and described as follows:
No. 1. BEGINNING at a point on the West side of the public road
known as Front Street extended, at the Northerly line of other
lands of Adelbert M. Wo6d and Catherine E. Wood, his wife, said
point being located 100.0 feet North of the Northerly line of
Fairmont Street (40 feet wide) ; thence Westwardly at right angles
and along the Northerly line of said lands of Adelbert 14. Wood
and Catherine E. Wood, his wife, 150.0 feet to a point; thence
Northwardly parallel with Front Street 50.0 feet to a point;
thence Eastwardly along lands now or late of S. M. Benion 150.0
feet to Front Street extended; thence Southwardly by the latter
line 50.0 feet to the place of BEGINNING.
soox iii F,Urii- A
-2-
. '
No. 2 BEGINNING at a point on the East side of the public
road known as Front Street extended, at the Southerly line of
lands of Adelbert M. Wood and Catherine E. Wood, his wife;
thence Eastwardly along the latter, 125.0 feet, more or less,
to the Susquehanna River Bank; thence Southwardly along the
latter 50.0 feet, more or less, to a stake; thence South 71
degrees West, 127.0 feet, more or less, to Front Street: extended;
thence North 21 degrees 51 minutes West along the latter line
25.0 feet, more or less, to the place of BEGINNING.
BEING the same premises which Lemoyne Trust Company and Charles
Ebner, Executors of the estate of Maude H. Brinton, deceased, by
their Deed dated September 4, 1963 and recorded in the Cumberland
County Recorder's Office in Deed Book "H", Volume 21, Page 302,
granted and conveyed unto Adelbert M. Wood and Catherine E. Wood,
his wife. The said Catherine E. Wood died on June 12, 19615
whereupon sole title in said premises vested in her husband,
Adelbert Maylon Wood, by operation of law.
PARCEL iJO. 3.
ALL TKAT CERTAIN tract of land situate in East Pennsboro Township,
Cumberland County, Pennsylvania., bounded and described as follows,
to .wit: -
BEGINNING at low water mark of the Susquehanna River, at the
Southerly line of property of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company;
thence South 72 degrees West, 131.0 feet to a point on the line
of lands now or late of Manor Real Estate (!; Trust Company; thence
along the same, South 15 degrees 39 minutes East, 236.0 feet,
more or less, to a point; thence by the same, South 72 degrees
west, 700.2 feet to a stone on line of lands of the Northern
Central Railway Company; thence by the latter South 21 degrees
31 minutes East, 917.1 feet to a point; thence along the center
of Fairmont Street, North 63 degrees 15 minutes East, 525.0 feet,
more or less, to land of A. M. Wood; thence along said lands and
lands now or late of Benion Zeigler Sersch, et al, North 21
degrees 51 minutes West, 659.0 feet to a point; thence by lands
now or late of John Anderson in an Easterly direction 150.0 feet
to a point on the West side of a public road; thence by said
public road Northwardly 133.0 feet, more or less, to a point;
thence Eastwardly crossing said road and along lands now or late
of Jean Sersch, 230.0 feet, more or less to the Susquehanna River;
and thence by the latter Northwardly 249.0 feet, more or less, to
the point and place of BEGINNING.
EXCEPTING AND EXCLUDING from the above described parcel of land,
a certain Lot of Ground 100 feet by 150 feet conveyed by Adelbert
11. Wood, widower, by his Deed dated June 1, 1981 and recorded in
the Cumberland County Recorder's Office in Deed Book "L", Volume 21,
Page 140, to his son, Donald M. Wood, as more particularly shown
on a Subdivision Plan recorded in the Cumberland County Recorder's
Office in Plan Book No. 37, at Page 92.
Coox A3
PACEii 2
BE!NG the same premises which Russell N. Eberly and
Margaret Eberly, his wife, by their Deed dated September
26, 1964 and recorded in the Cumberland County Recorder's
Office in Deed Book "K", Volume 21, Page 126, granted and
conveyed unt Ad.elbert I.1. Wood, widower, the within decedent.
By the Court,
/,t 6" (F- 'L'I
P. J.
i HEREBI' CERTIFY that the precise
grantees is: c/o Alice Beers
516 Enola Road
West Fairview,
residence of the
PA 17 025
--onns luania
SS ca_ (-'
cz:
-; a erland
..j r, he off ice for the recording of Deeds
(I YO niber;and Count, Pa
?p cn1S Vol.,- Page tom. r-
--, my hand and seal of office of
- - ' '
. .
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coo 1 (/7
-TI
aoox 113 Pt, di 53
-4-
0
RUTH BENDER and IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
ALICE BEERS, CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Plaintiffs CIVIL ACTION - LAW
vi. NO.: 04-2496 CIVIL TERM
DONALD WOOD, SR.
Defendant
ORDER
AND NOW, this a Ii &? day of October, 2007, upon consideration of
the within Praecipe, judgment is hereby entered in favor of Plaintiffs and
against Defendant, DONALD WOOD, SR., for possession of real estate
described in Plaintiffs' Exhibit 1 (attached hereto).
/s/ Lal?4? W. 44-f,
PROTHONOTARY ,,.
DEPUTY
RUTH BENDER and IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
ALICE BEERS, CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Plaintiffs CIVIL ACTION - LAW
V. NO.: 04-2496 CIVIL TERM
DONALD WOOD, SR.
Defendant
PRAECIPE
Kindly enter judgment upon the verdict issued by the Honorable J.
Wesley Oler on August 7, 2007, a copy of which is attached hereto.
Respectfully submitted,
el---,*? f.., ?-e-?
CHARLES E. PETRIE
3528 BRISBAN STREET
HARRISBURG, PA 17111
(717) 561-1939
ATTORNEY FOR PLAINTIFFS
RUTH BENDER and IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
ALICE BEERS, CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Plaintiffs :
V. CIVIL ACTION - LAW
DONALD WOOD, SR.,
Defendant NO. 04-2496 CIVIL TERM
VERDICT
AND NOW, this 7th day of August, 2007, upon consideration of Plaintiffs'
Complaint for Ejectment, and of Defendant's Counterclaim for unjust enrichment, and
following a nonjury trial held on August 6, 2007, it is ordered and directed as follows:
1. On Plaintiffs' Complaint for Ejectment, the Court finds in favor
of Plaintiffs and against Defendant, and Defendant is directed to
vacate the property described in Plaintiffs' Exhibit 1 (attached hereto),
and to remove all personalty in his possession therefrom, within 60
days of the date of this order; and
2. On Defendant's Counterclaim for unjust enrichment, the Court
finds in favor of Plaintiffs and against Defendant.
BY THE COUR
esley qeJ Jr-.J, "
C rles E. Petrie, Esq.
528 Brisban Street
Harrisburg, PA 17111
Attorney for Plaintiff
Ronald T. Tomasko, Esq.
219 State Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101
Attorney for Defendant
in Testimony ,?rf; Hof I hF,r:;:!nt,? ; at my hand D 51-/z 93 ?61a
9- /S =JZ % - i l
. rPA d
• and the seaiC-of 7. d
This '' - _•_-???'.Q 4/ d9-1.5• iz93 - ao?
• ' court °9-/?- ?? 9 3 60 2
• -? ±.;ounty
IN RE: ES`.l~A`.?_:;?•1AYLON IN TILE COURT OF COM1,10I1 PLEAS OF
WOOD a/k/a A.`?, F OF CMB MLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
THE BOROUGH OF 'gir'?7" TiiVIEW :: ORPMANS1 COURT DIVISION.
COUNTY OF CUI'IMERLAND A_l:? 1' STATE OF : .
PENNSYLVANIA, DECEASED. .: NO. 21-93-573•
ADJUDICATION AND DECREE AWARDING REAL ESTATE
AM NOW, this day of October, 1994, no objections having
been filed to the First and Final Account and Statement of Proposed
Distribution of RUTH BENDER and ALICE BEERS, EXecutrices of the Last
Will and Testament of ADELBERT MA.YLON WOOD a/k/a A. M. WOOD, late of
the Borough of West Fairview, County of Cumberland and State of Penn-
Sylvania, deceased, within the time fixed by the Rules of Court, said
Account was confirmed absolutely by this Court on October 11, 1994, and
at the same time, the Schedule of Proposed Distribution was approved
and Distribution was awarded in accordance with said Schedule.
IT IS FURTHM, ADJUDGED AND DECREED, that in accordance with the
said Final Account and Statement of Proposed Distribution as confirmed
by the Court, that the Distribution of the following described real
estate of the decedent is hereby awarded to RUTH BENDER/and ALICE
BEERS, their heirs and assigns, as equal Tenants in Common, to wit:-
PARCEL NO. 1.
ALL THOSE CERTAIN four. (4) tracts or Lots of Ground situate
in East Pennsboro Township, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania,
bounded and described as follows:
a No. 1. BEGINNING at a point 50.0 feet from the Northwest
'corner of a private road and a public road known as River
oad; thence Northwardly along said River Road 50,0 feet to
gland now or late of Caleb S. Bri.nton; thence Westwardly at
(-.right angles along said last mentioned land 150.0 feet to a
epoint in a private alley; thence Southwardly at right angles
'along said private alley 50.0 feet to a point; and thence at
ur
Bright angles Eastwardly along lands now or late of Caleb S.
„Brinton 150.0 feet to the point and place of BEGINNING.
E C:
0 PLAINTIFF'S
EXHIBIT
ooK Jig PACE:LJ50
0 'U
No. 2. All that certain tract of land immediately East of
tract No. 1 above, having a frontage of 50.0 feet on the
River Road and extending at an even width along lands now
or late of Caleb S. Brinton 200.0 feet, more or less, to
low water mark of the Susquehanna River.
No. 3. BEGINNING at the Northwest corner of a private road,
locally known as Fairmont Road, and a public road known as the
River Road; thence Northward along said River Road 50.0 feet
to lands now or late of Charles P. Prince and Mary G. Prince,
his wife; thence Westward at right angles along lands of the
same 150.0 feet to a point in a private alley; thence Southward
at right angles along; said private alley 59.2 feet, more or less,
to the aforesaid private road locally known as Fairmont Road;
thence Eastward along said private road, locally known as
Fairmont Road, a distance of 150.0 feet, more or-less, to a
point in the River Road, the place of BEGINNING.
No. L?. ALL that certain tract of land immediately East of
tract No. 1 herein, having a frontage of 50.0 feet on the River
Road and extending an even width along lands now or'late of
Charles P. Prince and Teary G. Prince, his wife, 200.0 feet,
more or less, to low water mark of the Susquehanna River.
BEING the same premises which Charles P. Prince and Mary G.
Prince, his wife, by their Deed dated June 5, 1952 and recorded
in the Cumberland County Recorder's Office in Deed Book "Zrr,
Volume 11?, Page 429,--granted and conveyed unto Adelbert M. Wood
and Catherine E. Wood, his wife. The said Catherine E. Mood
died on June 12, 1961, whereupon sole title in said premises
vested in her husband, Adelbert Maylon Wood, by operation of law.
PARCEL NO. 2.
ALL THOSE CERTAIN two (2) lots of land situate in the Township
of East Pennsboro, County of Cumberland and State of Pennsylvania,
bounded and described as follows:
No. 1. BEGINNING at a point on the West side of the public road
known as Front Street extended, at the Northerly line of other
lands of Adelbert M. Wood and Catherine E. Wood, his wife, said
point being; located 100.0 feet North of the Northerly line of
Fairmont Street (40 feet wide); thence Westwardly at right angles
and along the Northerly line of said lands of Adelbert M. Wood
and Catherine E. Wood, his wife, 150.0 feet to a point; thence
Northwardly parallel with Front Street 50.0 feet to a point;
thence Eastwardly along lands now or late of S. M. Benion 150.0
feet to Front Street extended; thence Southwardly by the latter
line 50.0 feet to the place of BEGINNING.
aoox 113 F„crL115i
-2-
No. 2 BEGINNING at a point on the East side of the public
road known as Front Street extended, at the Southerly line of
lands of Adelbert M. Wood and Catherine E. Wood, his wife;
thence Eastwardly along the latter, 125.0 feet, more or less,
to the Susquehanna River Bank; thence Southwardly along the
latter 50.0 feet, more or less, to a stake; thence South 71
degrees West, 127.0 feet, more or less, to Front Street: extended;
thence North 21 degrees 51 minutes West along the latter line
25.0 feet, more or less, to the place of BEGINNING.
BEING the same premises which Lemoyne Trust Company and Charles
Ebner, Executors of the Estate of Maude H. Brinton. deceased, by
their Deed dated September 4, 1963 and recorded in the Cumberland
County Recorder' s Office in Deed Book "H" , Volume 21, Page 302,
granted and conveyed unto Adelbert M. Wood and Catherine E. Wood,
his wife. The said Catherine E. Wood died on June 12, 1961,
whereupon sole title in said premises vested in her husband,
Adelbert Maylon Wood, by operation of law.
PARCEL
ALL TILkT CERTAIN tract of land situate in East Pennsboro Township,
Cumberland County, Pennsylvania., bounded and described as follows,
to -wit: -
BEGINNING at low water mark of the Susquehanna River, at the
Southerly line of property of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company;
thence South 72 degrees West, 131.0 feet to a point on the line
of lands now or late of Manor Real Estate E, Trust Company; thence
along the same, South 15 degrees 39 minutes East, 236.0 feet,
more or less, to a point; thence by the same, South 72 degrees
West, 700.2 feet to a stone on line of lands of the Northern
Central Railway Company; thence by the latter South 21 degrees
31 minutes East, 917.1 feet to a point; thence along the center
of Fairmont Street, North 63 degrees 15 minutes East, 525.0 feet,
more or less, to land of A. M. Wood; thence along said lands and
lands now or late of Benion Zeigler Sersch, et al, North 21
degrees 51 minutes West, 659.0 feet to a point; thence by lands
now or late of John Anderson in an Easterly direction 150.0 feet
to a point on the West side of a public road; thence by said
public road Northtirardly 133.0 feet, more or less, to a point;
thence Eastwardly crossing said road and along lands now or late
of Jean Sersch, 230.0 feet, more or less to the Susquehanna River;
and thence by the latter Nouthwardly 249.0 feet, more or less, to
the point and place of BEGINNING.
EXCEPTING AND EXCLUDING from the above described parcel of land,
a certain Lot of Ground 100 feet by 150 feet conveyed by Adelbert
Ii. Wood, caidower, by his Deed dated June 1, 1981 and recorded in
the Cumberland County Recorder's Office in Deed Book "L", Volume 21;
Page 110, to his son, Donald M. Wood, as more particularly shown
on a Subdivision Plan recorded in the Cumberland County Recorder's
Office in flan Book No. 37, at Page 92.
BOOK 113 PAGE1152
Y
BEING the same premises which Russell AT. Eberly and
Margaret Eberly, his wife, by their Deed dated September
281 1964 and recorded in the Cumberland County Recorder's
Office in Deed Book "Ii", Volume 21, Page 126, granted and
conveyed unt Adelbert INT. Wood, widower, the within decedent.
By the Court,
/ J? 6"(F- ,1
P. J.
1 HEREBY CERTIFY that the precise
grantees is: c/o Alice Beers
516 Enola Road
West- Fairview,
residence of the
PA 17025
-?,,nnsylvania C7,
C_
y
Imberiand S
office for the recording of Deeds
`or.C lbeiland Count Pa
F IL
V
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. ; nny iland and seat of office of
Ll = J
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-- r i
r
Cic7 Zt
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aoox 113 PnAi S3
-4-
V
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1 CO
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CHARLES E. PETRIE, ESQUIRE
ID# 29029
3528 Brisban Street
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17111
(717) 561-1939
Attorney for Plaintiff
RUTH BENDER and
ALICE BEERS,
Plaintiffs
Vs.
DONALD WOOD, SR.,
Defendant
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
CIVIL DIVISION
NUMBER: 04-2496 CIVIL
PRAECIPE FOR WRIT OF POSSESSION
NOW COME the Plaintiffs, Ruth Bender and Alice Beers, by and
through their attorney, Charles E. Petrie, and respectfully represent as
follows:
1. That on August 7, 2007, a Verdict was handed down by the
Honorable J. Wesley Oler, Jr., a copy of which is attached hereto,
directing the above Defendant, DONALD WOOD, SR., "to vacate the
premises described in Plaintiffs' Exhibit 1 (attached hereto) and to
remove all personalty in his possession therefrom, within 60 days of the
date of this order."
2. Sixty days have passed since the entry of the Order.
3. Defendant has not vacated the property, nor has he removed
his personalty from the premises.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiffs respectfully request that an Order of
Possession be entered against the Defendant, DONALD WOOD, SR., for
possession by the Plaintiffs of the premises described in the Exhibit
attached hereto.
Respectfully submitted,
zf,4,4 /..L?
CHARLES E. PETRIE
3528 Brisban Street
Harrisburg, PA 17111
(717) 561-1939
Attorney for Defendants
C?
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W
k
a ?
R
'rA?ri?
00
DZ
' i 1 Zo
RUTH BENDER and
ALICE BEERS,
Plaintiffs
V.
DONALD WOOD, SR.,
Defendant
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
CIVIL ACTION - LAW
NO. 04-2496 CIVIL TERM
VERDICT
AND NOW, this 71h day of August, 2007, upon consideration of Plaintiffs'
Complaint for Ejectment, and of Defendant's Counterclaim for unjust enrichment, and
following a nonjury trial held on August 6, 2007, it is ordered and directed as follows:
1. On Plaintiffs' Complaint for Ejectment, the Court finds in favor
of Plaintiffs and against Defendant, and Defendant is directed to
vacate the property described in Plaintiffs' Exhibit 1 (attached hereto),
and to remove all personalty in his possession therefrom, within 60
days of the date of this order; and
2. On Defendant's Counterclaim for unjust enrichment, the Court
finds in favor of Plaintiffs and against Defendant.
C les E. Petrie, Esq.
528 Brisban Street
Harrisburg, PA 17111
Attorney for Plaintiff
Ronald T. Tomasko, Esq.
219 State Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101
Attorney for Defendant
BY THE COUR
In Testimony my hand
sea) a ?'d ,..7.;. .-A
and the seal ,
iz93
d `J 1-5--J 7 j.3 6 J 1
<J9-45' Jz93 - oa f
-vv • K "•?: '<?:? C" aur t 93 aCIPT TZE: L;S'.rA? .?11'AYL0F IN TILF: COURT OF COMAOH PLEAS OF
WOOD a/k/a •A.'f,?? .?4`$?OF CURB ;t;LAT1D COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
THE BOROUGH OF ''(?:?:_T 'M I ,W ORPI-LANST COURT DIVISION.
COUNTY OF CUt'IM RLAND ATM, STATE OF :.
PENNSYLVANIA, DECEASED. NO. 21-93-573-
ADJUDICATION AND DECREE AWARDING REAL ESTATE
AND NOW, this _/z/- day of October, 1994, no objections having
been filed to the First and Final Account and Statement of Proposed
Distribution of RUTH BENDER and ALICE BEERU, Enecutrices of the Last
Will and Testament of ADELBERT PLAYLON [MOOD a/k/a A. M. WOOD, late of
the Borough of West Fairview, County of Cumberland and State of Penn-
Sylvania, deceased, within the time fixed by the Rules of Court, said
Account was confirmed absolutely by this Court on October 11, 1994, and
at the same time, the Schedule of Proposed Distribution was approved
and Distribution was awarded in accordance with said Schedule.
IT IS FURTHM, ADJUDGED AND DECREED, that in accordance with the
said Final Account and Statement of Proposed Distribution as confirmed
by the Court, that the Distribution of the following described real
estate of the decedent is hereby awarded to RUTH BENDER/and ALICE
BEERS, their heirs and assigns, as equal Tenants in Conunon, to wit:-
PARCEL NO. 1.
9
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15
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for
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J _ U v
ALL THOSE CERTAIN four - (4) tracts or Lots of Ground situate
in East Pennsboro Township, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania,
bounded and described as follows:
No. 1. BEGINNING at a point 50.0 feet from the Northwest
'Corner of a private road and a public road known as River
'oad; thence Northwardly along said River Road 50.0 feet to
;-land now or late of Caleb S. Brinton; thence Westwardly at
I right angles along said last mentioned land 150.0 feet to a
'epoint in a private alley; thence Southwardly at right angles
,along said private alley 50.0 feet to a point; and thence at
Bright angles Eestwardly along lands now or late of Caleb S.
:„printon 150.0 feet to the point and place of BEGINNING.
EC
PLAINTIFF'S
EXHIBIT
z, Rbx 113 PAcEii50
v?^--'
-1- 'U v -1
No. 2. All that certain tract of land immediately East of
tract No. 1 above, having a frontage of 50.0 feet on the
River Road and extending at an even width along lands now
or late of Caleb S. Brinton 200.0 feet, more or less, to
low water mark of the Susquehanna River.
No. 3. BEGINNING at the Northwest corner of a private road,
locally known as Fairmont Road, and a public road known as the
River Road; thence Northward along said River Road 50.0 feet
to lands now or late of Charles P. Prince and Plary G. Prince,
his wife; thence Westward at right angles along lands of the
same 150.0 feet to a point in a private alley; thence Southward
at right angles along; said private alley 59.2 feet, more or less,
to the aforesaid private road locally known as Fairmont Road;
thence Eastward along said private road, locally known as
Fairmont Road, a distance of 150.0 feet, more or-less, to a
point in the River Road, the place of BEGINNING.
No, L?. ALL that certain tract of land immediately East of
tract No. 1 herein, having a frontage of 50.0 feet on the River
Road and extending an even width along lands now or'late of
Charles P. Prince and Mary G. Prince, his wife, 200.0 feet,
more or less, to low water mark of the Susquehanna River.
BEING the same premises which Charles P. Prince and Mary G.
Prince, his wife, by their Deed dated June 5, 1952 and recorded
in the Cumberland County Recorderts Office in Deed Book "Z",
Volume 11?, Page 429,--granted and conveyed unto Adelbert 14. Wood
and Catherine E. blood, his wife. The said Catherine E. Wood
died on June 12, 1961, whereupon sole title in said premises
vested in her husband, Adelbert Maylon Wood, by operation of law.
PARCEL NO. 2.
ALL THOSE CERTAIN two (2) lots of land situate in the Township
of East Pennsboro, County of Cumberland and State of Pennsylvania,
bounded and described as follows:
No. 1. BEGINNING at a point on the West side of the public road
known as Front Street extended, at the Northerly line of other
lands of Adelbert M. Wood and Catherine E. Wood, his wife, said
point being located 100.0 feet North of the Northerly line of
Fairmont Street (40 feet wide) ; thence Westwardly at right angles
and along the Northerly line of said lands of Adelbert M. Wood
and Catherine E. Wood, his wife, 150.0 feet to a point; thence
Northwardly parallel with Front Street 50.0 feet to a point;
thence Eastwardly along lands now or late of S. 1-I. Benion 150.0
feet to Front Street extended; thence Southwardly by the latter
line 50.0 feet to the place of BEGINNING.
Boox A3 F' "i- .5i
-2-
No. 2 BEGINNING at a point on the East side of the public
road known as Front Street extended, at the Southerly line of
lands of Adelbert M. Wood and Catherine E. Wood, his wife;
thence Eastwardly along the latter, 125.0 feet, more or less,
to the Susquehanna River Bank; thence Southwardly along the
latter 50.0 feet, more or less, to a stake; thence South 71
degrees West, 127.0 feet, more or less, to Front Street: extended;
thence North 21 degrees 51 minutes West along the latter line
25.0 feet, more or less, to the place of BEGINNING.
BEING the same premises which Lemoyne Trust Company and Charles
Ebner, E?:ecutors of the Estate of Maude H. Brinton, deceased, by
their Deed dated September 4, 1963 and recorded in the Cumberland
County Recordert s Office in Deed Book "Htt, Volume 21, Page 302,
granted and conveyed unto Adelbert M. Mood and Catherine E. Wood,
his wife. The said Catherine E. Wood died on June 12, 1961s
whereupon sole title in said premises vested in her husband,
Adelbert Maylon blood, by operation of law.
PAR EE N0. 3.
ALL TKkT CERTAIN tract of land situate in East Pennsboro Township,
Cumberland County, Pennsylvania., bounded and described as follows,
to wit:-
BEGITRTING at low water mark of the Susquehanna River, at the
Southerly line of property of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company;
thence South 72 degrees West, 131.0 feet to a point on the line
of lands now or late of Manor Real Estate &. Trust Company; thence
along the same, South 15 degrees 39 minutes East, 236.0 feet,
more or less, to a point; thence by the same, South 72 degrees
West, 700.2 feet to a stone on line of lands of the Northern
Central Railway Company; thence by the latter South 21 degrees
31 minutes East, 917.1 feet to a point; thence along the center
of Fairmont Street, North 63 degrees 15 minutes East, 525.0 feet,
more or less, to land of A. M. Wood; thence along said lands and
lands now or late of Benion Zeigler Sersch, et al, North 21
degrees 51 minutes West, 659.0 feet to a point; thence by lands
now or late of John Anderson in an Easterly direction 150.0 feet
to a point on the West side of a public road; thence by said
public road Northwardly 133.0 feet, more or less, to a point;
thence Eastwardly crossing said road and along lands now or late
of Jean Sersch, 230.0 feet, more or less to the Susquehanna River;
and thence by the latter Northwardly 249.0 feet, more or less, to
the point and place of BEGINNING.
EXCEPTING AND EXCLUDING from the above described parcel of land,
a certain Lot of Ground 100 feet by 150 feet conveyed by Adelbert
I.4. Wood, widower, by his Deed dated June 1, 1981 and recorded in
the Cumberland County Recorder's Office in Deed Book %", Volume 21,
Page 11V0, to his son, Donald M. Wood, as more particularly shown
on a Subdivision Plan recorded in the Cumberland County Recorder's
Office in flan Book No. 37, at Page 92.
BOOK 113 pwii52
BE!NG the same premises which Russell Y. Eberly and
Margaret Eberly, his wife, by their Deed dated September
26, 196L? and recorded in the Cumberland County Recorder's
Office in Deed Book 11K11.1
th86Wlthlngranted
II. ?OOdlley`J121, dower, page
d•ecedent.
conveyed unt Adel
By the Court,
P. J.
1 HEREBY CERTIFY that the precise
grantees is: c/o Alice Beers
516 Enola Road
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Ronald T. Tomasko, Esquire
Sup. Ct. I.D. No. 61190
METTE, EVANS & WOODSIDE
3401 North Front Street
P.O. Box 5950
Harrisburg, PA 17110-0950
(717) 232-5000
rttomasko@mette.com
RUTH BENDER and
ALICE BEERS,
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Plaintiffs
V.
DONALD WOOD, SR.,
: CIVIL DIVISION
: NO. 04-2496-CIVIL
Defendant
MOTION FOR STAY PENDING APPEAL
Donald Wood, Sr., by his attorneys, Mette, Evans & Woodside, moves for a stay from
this Court's August 6, 2007 Order, and in support thereof represents as follows:
1. This proceeding was commenced by Plaintiffs Ruth Bender and Alice Beers on
June 2, 2004 by the filing of a Complaint for Ejectment against the Defendant for property
occupied by the Defendant.
2. On August 3, 2004, Defendant Donald Wood, Sr. filed an Answer with New
Matter and Counterclaim which alleged under the heading "New Matter" that Defendant had
made substantial and costly improvements to the real property, and that Plaintiff would be
unjustly enriched by ejecting the Defendant without compensating him for the improvements
made by the Defendant.
3. On August 12, 2004, Plaintiffs filed a Reply to New Matter and Counterclaim
denying Defendant's allegations and asserting that Plaintiffs owned the material used to make
the Defendant's improvements.
4. On August 6, 2007, this Court considered the Plaintiffs' Complaint for Ejectment
and the Defendant's counterclaim for unjust enrichment at a non jury trial and issued an Order in
favor of Plaintiffs' Complaint for Ejectment.
5. On August 16, 2007, Defendant filed a Motion for Post Trial Relief on the
grounds that the Court's verdict failed to mentioned the substantial improvements made by the
Defendant to the parcel in question, including the building and purchase of a pole building, a
macadam driveway and an extension of electrical service, and for failure of the Court's August
6, 2007 Order to mention the $8,000.00 plus cash payments the Defendant had made to the
Plaintiffs. As such, the Defendant was seeking a modification or change to the Court's August 6,
2007 Order to compensate the Defendant for the improvements to the parcel and/or cash
payments made to the Plaintiffs.
6. On August 22, 2007 Plaintiffs filed an Answer to Defendant's Motion for Post
Trial Relief that generally denied the averments contained in Defendant's Motion for Post-Trial
Relief and Plaintiffs sought dismissal of the Defendant's Motion for Post Trial Relief.
7. The parties filed Briefs with the Court five days before oral argument on
Defendant's Motion for Post-Trial Relief that was scheduled for October 11, 2007 before this
Court.
8. This Court heard oral argument on the Defendant's Motion for Post Trial Relief
was heard before this Court on October 11, 2007.
9. On October 12, 2007 this Court issued a one sentence Order denying Defendant's
Motion for Post Trial Relief.
10. Defendant has operated his business on the parcel in question for over two
decades, both before and after the Plaintiffs came into equitable ownership. Testimony at trial is
2
uncontraverted that during Defendant's time on the parcel Defendant purchased and constructed
a large pole building, a macadam driveway and electrical service. Further testimony at trial
established that, at some point after this action was filed, the Defendant tendered, and Plaintiffs
agreed to accept, a monthly "rental payment" for the Defendant's continued use of the parcel in
question. Plaintiffs filed the action 11 years after coming into equitable ownership, and only
refused Defendant's payment of rent in July 2007, three years after initiating this action and just
before trial in this matter.
11. Under Pennsylvania law the doctrine of unjust enrichment is essentially an
equitable one. Schenck v. KE. David, Ltd., 666 A.2d 327,328 (Pa. Super. 1995). The
Pennsylvania Supreme Court has held that equitable principals are appropriate and necessary to
resolve a legal action involving ejectment. Wingert v. T. W. Phillips Gas and Oil Company, 157
A.2d 92 (Pa. 1959). The doctrine of unjust enrichment, according to Pennsylvania precedent,
indicates that the Defendant is entitled to compensation for the improvements made to the
Plaintiffs' land and/or reimbursement for the rent monies paid. See Chesney v. Stevens, 644
A.2d 1240 (Pa.Super.1994); Drysdale v. Woerth, 153 F.Supp.2d 678 (E. D.Pa. 2001); Wingert,
supra; Harbor Marine Company v. Nolan, 366 A.2d 936 (Pa.Super.1976); Keesler v. Pustay, 29
Pa. D.&C.3?d 223 (Monroe Cty, 1983). Accordingly, the Defendant avers that he has a
substantial likelihood of prevailing on the merits of his appeal.
12. Unless a stay is granted, Donald Wood, Sr. will lose the use of the parcel in
question and suffer irreparable harm to his business, reputation, and financial interests. On the
other hand, the burden on the Plaintiffs will be nonexistent since the parcel in question is
unimproved (i.e., no water or sewer), and granting a stay will maintain the status quo as has been
3
the case since the Plaintiffs came into equitable ownership of the property some fourteen
(14)plus years ago.
13. The stay requested by the Defendant will not adversely affect the public interest
as the land in question is privately held by the Plaintiffs, and solely occupied by the Defendant,
and does not in any way affect the public.
WHEREFORE, the Defendant respectfully requests this Court to enter a stay of all
proceedings in this action pending resolution of the appeal to the Superior Court.
Respectfully
METTE, EV
By:
Ronald T. Tomasko, Esquire
Attorney I.D. No. 61190
3401 North Front Street
P.O. Box 5950
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17110-0950
(717) 232-5000
(717) 236-1816 (fax)
rttomasko@mette.com
Attorney for Defendant
4
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Ronald T. Tomasko, Esquire
Sup. Ct. I.D. No. 61190
METTE, EVANS & WOODSIDE
3401 North Front Street
P.O. Box 5950
Harrisburg, PA 17110-0950
(717) 232-5000
rttomasko@mette.com
RUTH BENDER and
ALICE BEERS,
DONALD WOOD, SR.,
Plaintiffs
V.
Defendant
COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND CO., PENNSYLVANIA
CIVIL DIVISION
NO. 04-2496-CIVIL
NOTICE OF APPEAL
Notice is hereby given that Donald Wood, Sr., the Defendant above named, hereby appeals to the
Superior Court of Pennsylvania from the Order entered in this matter on October 12, 2007. This
order has been reduced to judgment and entered in the docket as evidenced by the attached copy
of the docket entry.
Respectfully
METTE, EV.
By:
Date: November 13, 2007
Ronald T. Tomasko, Esquire
Attorney I.D. No. 61190
3401 North Front Street
P.O. Box 5950
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17110-0950
(717) 232-5000
(717) 236-1816 (fax)
rttomasko@mette.com
Attorney for Defendant
481930v1
14442'411062007 Cumberland County Prothonotary's Office Page 1
PYS510 Civil Case Print
2004-02496 BENDER RUTH ET AL (vs) WOOD DONALD SR
Reference No... Filed......... 6/02/2004
Case Type.....: COMPLAINT - EJECTMENT Time.........: 3:20
Judgment...... 00 Execution Date 0/00/0000
Judge Assigned: OLER J WESLEY JR Jury Trial....
Disposed Desc.: Disposed Date. 0/00/0000
------------ Case Comments ------------- Higher Crt 1.:
Higher Crt 2.:
********************************************************************************
General Index Attorney Info
BENDER RUTH PLAINTIFF PETRIE CHARLES E
698 FRONT STREET
ENOLA PA 17025
BEERS ALICE PLAINTIFF PETRIE CHARLES E
199 FAIRMONT AVENUE
WEST FAIRVIEW PA 17025
WOOD DONALD SR DEFENDANT
700 HIGH STREET
WEST FAIRVIEW PA 17025
Judgment Index Amount Date Desc
WOOD DONALD SR 10/29/2007 JUDGMENT ON VERDICT
WOOD DONALD SR 10/29/2007 WRIT OF POSSESSION
********************************************************************************
* Date Entries
********************************************************************************
- - - - - - - - - - - - - FIRST ENTRY - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
6/02/2004 COMPLAINT - EJECTMENT
-------------------------------------------------------------------
6/28/2004 SHERIFF'S FILE RETURNED FILED.
Case Type: COMPLAINT - EJECTMENT Ret Type.: Regular
Litigant.: WOOD DONALD SR
Address..: 700 HIGH STREET
Cty/St/Z • WEST FAIRVIEW, PA 17025
Hnd To: BARB WOOD, WIFE
Shf/D ty.: SHAWN HARRISON
Date/ Time: 06/24/2004 1824:00
Costs....: $38.35 Pd By: CHARLES PETRIE 06/28/2004
-------------------------------------------------------------------
7/23/2004 IMPORTANT NOTICE FILED (DEFAULT JUDGMENT)
-------------------------------------------------------------------
8/03/2004 ANSWER WITH NEW MATTER AND COUNTERCLAIM - BY MICHAEL A KORANDA ESQ
-------------------------------------------------------------------
8/12/2004 REPLY TO NEW MATTER AND COUNTERCLAIM BY CHARLES E PETRIE ESQ
-------------------------------------------------------------------
4/05/2007 PRAECIPE FOR LISTING CASE FOR TRIAL - BY CHARLES E PETRIE ATTY FOR
PLFFS
-------------------------------------------------------------------
4/12/2007 ORDER OF COURT - 04-10-07 - IN RE: NONJURY TRIAL - SCHEDULED
08-06-07 AT 9:30 AM IN CR 1 CUMB CO COURTHOUSE - BY J WESLEY OLER
JR J - COPIES MAILED 04-12-07
-------------------------------------------------------------------
8/07/2007 ORDER OF COURT - DATED 08-06-07 - IN RE: PLFFS COMPLAINT FOR
EJECTMENT AND DEFTS COUNTERCLAIM FOR UNJUST ENRICHMENT - FOLLOWING
A NONJURY TRIAL THE RECORD IS DECLARED CLOSES AND THE MATTER IS
TAKEN UNDER ADVISEMENT - BY J WESLEY OLER JR J - COPIES MAILED
08-08-07
-------------------------------------------------------------------
8/07/2007 VERDICT - DATED 08-07-07 - IN RE: PLFFS COMPLAINT IN EJECTMENT AND
DEFTS COUNTERCLAIM FOR UNJUST ENRICHMENT - FOLLOWING A NONJURY
TRIAL HELD ON 08-06-07 - 1- ON PLFFS COMPLAINT FOR EJECTMENT THE
COURT FINDS IN FAVOR OF PLFFS AND AGAINST DEFT AND DEFT IS
DIRECTED TO VACATE THE PROPERTY DESCRIBED IN PLFFS EXHIBIT 1
(ATTACHED HERETO) AND TO REMOVE ALL PERSONALITY IN HIS POSSESSION
THEREFROM WITHIN 60 DAYS OF THE DATE OF THIS ORDER AND
2- ON DEFTS COUNTERCLAIM FOR UNJUST ENRICHMENT THE COURT FINDS IN
FAVOR OF PLFFS AND AGAINST DEFT - BY J WESLEY JR J - COPIES MAILED
14442411062007 Cumberland County Prothonotary's Orfi.ce Page 2
PYS510 Civil Case Print
2004-02496 BENDER RUTH ET AL (vs) WOOD DONALD SR
Reference No... Filed......... 6/02/2004
Case Type.....: COMPLAINT - EJECTMENT Time.........: 3:20
Judgment...... 00 Execution Date 0/00/0000
Judge Assigned: OLER J WESLEY JR Jury Trial....
Disposed Desc.: Disposed Date. 0/00/0000
------------ Case Comments ------------- Higher Crt 1.:
Higher Crt 2.:
08-08-07
----------------------------------
8/20/2007 DEFENDANT'S MOTION FOR POST-TRIAL RELIEF - BY RONALD T TOMASKO
ATTY FOR DEFT
-----------------------------------------------------------
8/22/2007 ANSWER TO DEFENDANTS MOTION FOR POST-TRIAL RELIEF - BY CHARLES E
PETRIE ATTY FOR PLFFS
--------------------------------------------------------------
8/27/2007 ORDER OF COURT - DATED 08-27-07 - IN RE: DEFTS MOTION FOR
POST-TRIAL RELIEF AND PLFFS ANSWER TO DEFTS MOTION FOR POST-TRIAL
RELIEF - ORAL ARGUMENT IS SCHEDULED FOR 10-11-07 AT 1;30 PM IN
COURTROOM NO 1 CUMBERLAND COUNTY COURTHPUSE CARLISLE PA - BRIEFS
ARE DUS 5 DAYS PRIOR TO THAT DATE - BY J WESLEY OLER JR J - COPIES
MAILED 08-27-07
-------------------------------------------------------------------
8/27/2007 CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE - ORDER DATED 08-27-07 - BY RONALD T
TOMASKO ATTY FOR DEFT
--------------------------------------------------------------------
10/12/2007 ORDER OF COURT - DATED 10/12/07 - UPON CONSIDERATION OF
DEFENDANT'S MOTION FOR POST-TRIAL RELIEF AND FOLLOWING ORAL 10 ARSGUMENT
ENIEDHELBYOJ WES /LEY00LERFJRDJNT'COPOIESNMAILED010/12/007 RELIEF
--------------------------------------------------------------------
10/29/2007 PRAECIPE - KINDLY ENTER JUDGMENT UPON THE VERDICT ISSUED BY THE
HONORABLE J WESLEY OLER ON AUGUST 7, 2007 BY CHARLES E PETRIE ESQ
-------------------------------------------------------------------
10/29/2007 NOTICE MAILED TO DEFENDANT
-------------------------------------------------------------------
10/29/2007 PRAECIPE FOR WRIT OF POSSESSION AND WRIT OF POSSESSION ISSUED
$2.00 DUE CO
BY CHARLES E PETRIE ESQ
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - LAST ENTRY - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
********************************************************************************
* Escrow Information
* Fees & Debits Bw*Bal***Py**mts/Ad? End Bal
*********************************** ****** *******************************
COMPLAINT 35.00 35.00 .00
TAX ON CMPLT .50 .50 .00
SETTLEMENT 5.00 5.00 .00
AUTOMATION 5.00 5.00 .00
JCP FEE 10.00 10.00 .00
PRAECIPE TRIAL 25.00 25.00 .00
JDMT 14.00 14.00 .00
WRIT OF POSSESS 24.00 24.00
--- ---
- .00
---------
--------------
118.50 ----
--
118.50 .00
* End of Case Information
********************************************************************************
1 }-estimony whereof, t here unto set ? ha+??q
the saw of said Court at Carlisle. Pa,
Thm -?
g n., i - -
Ornth" noon
Ronald T. Tomasko, Esquire
Sup. Ct. I.D. No. 61190
METTE, EVANS & WOODSIDE
3401 North Front Street
P.O. Box 5950
Harrisburg, PA 17110-0950
(717) 232-5000
rttomasko@mette.com
RUTH BENDER and
ALICE BEERS,
DONALD WOOD, SR.,
Plaintiffs
V.
Defendant
COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND CO., PENNSYLVANIA
: CIVIL DIVISION
NO. 04-2496-CIVIL
ORDER FOR TRANSCRIPT
To: Michele Eline
Office of the Court Reporter
1 Courthouse Square
Carlisle, PA 17013
A Notice of Appeal having been filed in this matter, the official court reporter is hereby
ordered to produce, certify and file the transcript in the matter in conformity with Rule 1922 of
the Pennsylvania Rules of Appellate Procedure.
Respectfully
Date: November 13, 2007
METTE,
By: ?eyy Tomasko, Esquire
AttornI.D. No. 61190
3401 North Front Street
P.O. Box 5950
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17110-0950
(717) 232-5000
(717) 236-1816 (fax)
rttomasko@mette.com
Attorney for Defendant
481931v1
Ronald T. Tomasko, Esquire
Sup. Ct. I.D. No. 61190
METTE, EVANS & WOODSIDE
3401 North Front Street
P.O. Box 5950
Harrisburg, PA 17110-0950
(717) 232-5000
rttomasko@mette.com
RUTH BENDER and
ALICE BEERS,
DONALD WOOD, SR.,
Plaintiffs
V.
Defendant
COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND CO., PENNSYLVANIA
CIVIL DIVISION
NO. 04-2496-CIVIL
PROOF OF SERVICE
I hereby certify that a true and correct copy of Defendant's Notice of Appeal, Order for
Transcript and Motion for Stay of Proceedings pending Appeal was served upon the parties listed
below pursuant to Rule 906 of the Pennsylvania Rules of Appellate Procedure this 13th day of
November, 2007, by United States Mail, First Class, Postage Pre-paid except where noted
otherwise, which service satisfies the requirements of Pa. R.A.P. 121:
The Honorable J. Wesley Oler, Jr.
1 Courthouse Square
Carlisle, PA 17103
Court Administrator's Office
1 Courthouse Square, 3R
Carlisle, PA 17013
Charles E. Petrie, Esquire
3528 Brisban St.
Harrisburg, PA 17111
Attorney for Plaintiffs
Michele Eline
Office of Court Reporter
1 Courthouse Square
Carlisle, PA 17013
Respectfully
METTE, EV
By:
RoAald T: Tomasko, Esq
Attorney I.D. No. 61190
3401 North Front Street
P.O. Box 5950
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17110-0950
(717) 232-5000
(717) 236-1816 (fax)
rttomasko@mette.com
Attorney for Defendant
Date: November 13, 2007
481937v1
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COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
Superior Court of Pennsylvania
Karen Reid Bramblett, Esq. Middle District
Prothonotary
James D. McCullough, Esq. November 15, 2007
Deputy Prothonotary
Mr. Curtis R. Long
Prothonotary
Cumberland County Courthouse
1 Courthouse Square
Carlisle, PA 17013
Re: 1907 MDA 2007
Ruth Bender and Alice Beers
V.
Donald Wood, Sr., Appellant
Dear Mr. Long:
100 Pine Street. Suite 400
Harrisbure. PA 17101
717-772-1294
www.superior.court,state.pa.us
Enclosed please find a copy of the docket for the above appeal that was recently filed in the
Superior Court. Kindly review the information on this docket and notify this office in writing if
you believe any corrections are required.
Appellant's counsel is also being sent a Docketing Statement, pursuant to Pa.R.A.P. 3517,
for completion and filing. Please note that Superior Court Dockets are available on the Internet
at the Web site address printed at the top of this page. Thank you.
Very truly yours,
Karen Reid Bramblett, Esq.
Prothonotary
VSL
3:40 P.M.
Appeal Docket Sheet Superior Court of Pennsylvania
Docket Number: 1907 MDA 2007
Page 1 of 3 Z%#4
November 15, 2007
Ruth Bender and Alice Beers
V.
Donald Wood, Sr., Appellant
Initiating Document: Notice of Appeal
Case Status: Active
Case Processing Status: November 14, 2007 Awaiting Original Record
Journal Number:
Case Category: Civil CaseType: Civil Action Law
Consolidated Docket Nos.:
Related Docket Nos.:
SCHEDULED EVENT
Next Event Type: Receive Docketing Statement Next Event Due Date: November 29, 2007
Next Event Type: Original Record Received Next Event Due Date: January 14, 2008
11/15/2007
3023
3:40 PA
Appeal Docket Sheet
Docket Number: 1907 MDA 2007
Superior Court of Pennsylvania
Page 2 of 3 AAL
November 15, 2007
COUNSEL INFORMATION
Appellant Wood Sr., Donald
Pro Se: Appoint Counsel Status:
IFP Status: No
Appellant Attorney Information:
Attorney: Tomasko, Ronald Thomas
Bar No.: 61190 Law Firm: Mette, Evans & Woodside
Address: 3401 N Front Street Fl 2
PO Box 5950
Harrisburg, PA 17110-0950
Phone No.: (717)232-5000 Fax No.: (717)236-1816
Receive Mail: Yes
E-Mail Address: rttomasko@mette.com
Receive E-Mail: No
Appellee Ruth Bender and Alice Beers
Pro Se: Appoint Counsel Status:
IFP Status:
Appellee Attorney Information:
Attorney: Petrie, Charles E.
Bar No.: 29029 Law Firm:
Address: 3528 Brisban Street
Harrisburg, PA 17111
Phone No.: (717)561-1939 Fax No.: (717)561-4121
Receive Mail: Yes
E-Mail Address:
Receive E-Mail: No
FEE INFORMATION
Paid
Fee Date Fee Name Fee Amt Amount Receipt Number
11/14/07 Notice of Appeal 60.00 60.00 2007SPRMD001073
TRIAL COURTIAGENCY INFORMATION
Court Below: Cumberland County Court of Common Pleas
County: Cumberland Division: Civil
Date of Order Appealed From: October 12, 2007 Judicial District: 9
Date Documents Received: November 14, 2007 Date Notice of Appeal Filed: November 13, 2007
Order Type: Order Entered OTN:
Judge: Oler, Jr., J. Wesley Lower Court Docket No.: 2004-02496
Judge
ORIGINAL RECORD CONTENTS
1111512007 3023
3:40 P.M.
Appeal Docket Sheet
Docket Number: 1907 MDA 2007
Page 3 of 3
November 15, 2007
Superior Court of Pennsylvania
ZVIL
Original Record Item
Filed Date
Content/Description
Date of Remand of Record:
BRIEFS
DOCKET ENTRIES
Filed Date Docket Entry/Document Name Party Type Filed By
November 14, 2007 Notice of Appeal Filed
Appellant Wood Sr., Donald
November 15, 2007 Docketing Statement Exited (Civil)
Middle District Filing Office
11 /15/2007 3023
C-) ra
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RUTH BENDER and IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
ALICE BEERS, CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Plaintiffs
V. CIVIL ACTION - LAW
DONALD WOOD, SR.,
Defendant NO. 04-2496 CIVIL TERM
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, this 16th day of November, 2007, upon consideration of the Notice of
Appeal filed in the above-captioned matter, Appellant is DIRECTED, pursuant to Pa.
R.A.P. 1925(b), to file of record in this Court and to serve upon the undersigned judge a
concise Statement of Matters Complained of on Appeal no later than 14 days after entry
of this Order.
Charles E. Petrie, Esq.
3528 Brisban Street
Harrisburg, PA 17110
Attorney for Plaintiffs
Ronald T. Tomasko, Esq.
3401 North Front Street
P.O. Box 5950
Harrisburg, PA 17110-0950
Attorney for Defendant
BY THE COURT,
I / ?" i",?;
J. esley Ole , Jr.,
:rc
VINVAIASNIN]d
AiNincn
91 %Z Wd b 1 A€lN LOOZ
AdVIONOrkkoid aU 3O
Ronald T. Tomasko, Esquire
Sup. Ct. I.D. No. 61190
METTE, EVANS & WOODSIDE
3401 North Front Street
Harrisburg, PA 17110-0950
(717) 232-5000
rttomasko@mette.com
RUTH BENDER and
ALICE BEERS,
DONALD WOOD, SR.,
Plaintiffs
V.
Defendant
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
CIVIL DIVISION
NO. 04-2496-CIVIL
AMENDMENT TO DEFENDANT'S MOTION FOR STAY PENDING APPEAL
Donald Wood, Sr., by his attorneys, Mette, Evans & Woodside, moves to amend his MOTION
FOR STAY PENDING APPEAL filed with the PROTHONOTARY of Cumberland County on
November 13, 2007, by adding as follows:
14. Except for the rulings by Judge Oler discussed in the Defendant's Motion for Stay
Pending Appeal, no other judge has ruled upon any other issue in the same or related matter.
15. The concurrence of Mr. Charles E. Petrie, opposing counsel of record, was sought in a
telephone conversation between Attorney Sean M Concannon, of Attorney Ronald Tomasko's
office, and Attorney Petrie, on November 27, 2007 at 3:00 pm. Attorney Petrie did not concur in
the filing of the Defendant's Motion for Stay Pending Appeal.
Resl
ME'.
By:
L I L L%-I1 11 V,' 1. L. l\ V. V i l/ V
3401 North Front Street
P.O. Box 5950
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17110-0950
(717) 232-5000
(717) 236-1816 (fax)
rttomasko@mette.com
Attorney for Defendant
6
1
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I certify that I am this day serving a copy of the foregoing document upon the person(s)
and in the manner indicated below, which service satisfies the requirements of the Pennsylvania
Rules of Civil Procedure, by depositing a copy of same in the United States Mail at Harrisburg,
Pennsylvania, with first-class postage, prepaid, as follows:
Charles E. Petrie, Esquire
3528 Brisban Street
Harrisburg, PA 17111
(717) 561-1939
Attorney for Plaintiffs
Respectfully submitted,
METTE, EV
By:
November 27, 2007
---1 __-
Attorney I.D. No. 61190
3401 North Front Street
P.O. Box 5950
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17110-0950
(717) 232-5000
(717) 236-1816 (fax)
rttomasko@mette.com
Attorney for Defendant
7
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CHARLES E. PETRIE, ESQUIRE
ID# 29029
3528 Brisban Street
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17111
(717) 561-1939
Attorney for Plaintiffs
RUTH BENDER and
ALICE BEERS,
Plaintiffs
Vs.
DONALD WOOD, SR.,
Defendant
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
CIVIL DIVISION
NUMBER: 04-2496 CIVIL
ANSWER TO DEFENDANT'S MOTION FOR STAY PENDING APPEAL
NOW COME the Plaintiffs, RUTH BENDER and ALICE BEERS, by
and through their attorney, Charles E. Petrie, and respectfully answer
Defendant's Motion for Stay Pending Appeal as follows:
1. Admitted.
2. Admitted.
3. Admitted.
4. Admitted.
5. Admitted.
6. Admitted.
7. Admitted.
8. Admitted.
9. Admitted.
r
10. Denied. Defendant has operated this business only for about
13 years after the Plaintiffs came into legal (not equitable) ownership. It
is further denied that uncontraverted testimony was presented at trial
that Defendant purchased and constructed a large pole building on the
premises. In fact, the building material was inherited from the parties'
father's estate by Plaintiff Alice Beers.
11. Admitted in part and denied in part. It is admitted under
Pennsylvania law the doctrine of unjust enrichment is essentially an
equitable one. It is denied that in every case an occupant of land is
entitled to compensation for improvements made to the land. It is denied
that Defendant has a substantial likelihood of prevailing on the merits of
his appeal.
12. Denied. Defendant will not suffer irreparable harm to his
business, reputation and financial interests. The facts set forth in the
second sentence are irrelevant. Plaintiffs may maintain and utilize the
premises any way they see fit.
13. Admitted.
14. Admitted.
15. Admitted.
NEW MATTER
16. Plaintiffs incorporate by reference their Answers to paragraphs
1 through 13 hereinabove by reference as if fully set forth herein.
17. Plaintiffs filed their Complaint for Ejectment on June 2, 2004.
18. Defendant has had more than three years' notice of the
Plaintiffs' intention to eject him from the property.
19. Defendant has had more than three years to make other
arrangements for his business and to cease to make improvements to the
premises to minimize his financial losses.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiffs respectfully request that Your Honorable
Court dismiss Defendant's Motion for Stay Pending Appeal.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES E. PETRIE
3528 Brisban Street
Harrisburg, PA 17111
(717) 561-1939
Attorney for Plaintiffs
CHARLES E. PETRIE, ESQUIRE
ID# 29029
3528 Brisban Street
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17111
(717) 561-1939
Attorney for Plaintiffs
RUTH BENDER and
ALICE BEERS,
Plaintiffs
Vs.
DONALD WOOD, SR.,
Defendant
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
CIVIL DIVISION
NUMBER: 04-2496 CIVIL
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I certify that on November 29, 2007, I served a copy of the
foregoing Answer to Defendant's Motion for Post-Trial Relief upon
counsel for the Defendant, Ronald T. Tomasko, Esquire, at his law offices
at 3401 North Front Street, P.O. Box 5950, Harrisburg, PA 17110-0950,
by personal service.
Respectfully submitted,
CHARLES E. PETRIE
3528 Brisban Street
Harrisburg, PA 17111
(717) 561-1939
Sup Ct. ID No. 29029
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Ronald T. Tomasko, Esquire
Sup. Ct. I.D. No. 61190
METTE, EVANS & WOODSIDE
3401 North Front Street
P.O. Box 5950
Harrisburg, PA 17110-0950
(717) 232-5000
rttomasko@mette.com
RUTH BENDER and IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
ALICE BEERS, CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Plaintiffs
V. CIVIL DIVISION
DONALD WOOD, SR., NO. 04-2496-CIVIL
Defendant
STATEMENT OF MATTERS COMPLAINED OF ON APPEAL
Defendant Donald Wood, Sr., by his attorneys, Mette, Evans & Woodside, files the
following concise statement of matters complained of on the appeal in the above matter, pursuant
to the direction issued to Defendant by the Honorable Judge J. Wesley Oler, Jr. pursuant to Pa.
R.A.P. 1925(b):
1. Whether the Court's determination to grant Plaintiff's Complaint for Ejectment
and deny Defendant's Counterclaim for unjust enrichment was supported by the evidence and
the applicable law due to a failure to apply the equitable principles of unjust enrichment and by
ejecting the Defendant without compensating Defendant for the value of the improvements paid
for and installed by Defendant to the real property at issue in the Plaintiff's Complaint.
2. Whether the Court's determination to grant Plaintiff's Complaint for Ejectment
and deny Defendant's Counterclaim for unjust enrichment was supported by the evidence and
the applicable law due to a failure to apply the equitable principles of unjust enrichment and by
ejecting Defendant without compensating Defendant for the value of the money given by the
Defendant to the Plaintiffs for use of the property from 2003 to mid-2007.
3. Whether the Court, in the course of the hearings below, committed prejudicial
error by ignoring certain evidence offered by Defendant, including but not limited to the
Defendant's uncontroverted testimony that Defendant paid for the materials and installation of
all of the existing improvements on the real property that is the subject matter of Plaintiff's
Complaint.
4. Whether the Court's two orders, dated August 6, 2007 and October 12, 2007
respectively, represent legal error and/or an abuse of discretion by failing to articulate, in any
manner whatsoever, why the Defendant's claims were denied/dismissed.
Respectfully subi d,
METTE, EVAN;&, QDGIDE
By:
Rbnald T. Tomasko,Esquire
Attorney I.D. No. 61190
3401 North Front Street
P.O. Box 5950
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17110-0950
(717) 232-5000
(717) 236-1816 (fax)
rttomasko@mette.com
Attorney for Defendant
Date: November 29, 2007
483409v1
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I certify that I am this day serving a copy of the foregoing document upon the person(s)
and in the manner indicated below, which service satisfies the requirements of the Pennsylvania
Rules of Civil Procedure, by depositing a copy of same in the United States Mail at Harrisburg,
Pennsylvania, with first-class postage, prepaid, as follows:
Charles E. Petrie, Esquire
3528 Brisban Street
Harrisburg, PA 17111
(717) 561-1939
Attorney for Plaintiffs
Respectfully
METTE, EVAN,Sr QWOODSIDE
By:
November 29, 2007
Ronald T. Tomaskd, Esquire
Attorney I.D. No. 61190
3401 North Front Street
P.O. Box 5950
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17110-0950
(717) 232-5000
(717) 236-1816 (fax)
rttomasko@mette.com
Attorney for Defendant
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RUTH BENDER and IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
ALICE BEERS, CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Plaintiffs
V. CIVIL ACTION - LAW
DONALD WOOD, SR.,
Defendant NO. 04-2496 CIVIL TERM
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, this 10`h day of December, 2007, upon consideration of Defendant's
Motion for Stay Pending Appeal, and of Plaintiffs' Answer to Defendant's Motion for
Stay Pending Appeal, the motion is denied.
Xharles E. Petrie, Esq.
3528 Brisban Street
Harrisburg, PA 17111
Attorney for Plaintiff
?1`onald T. Tomasko, Esq.
3401 North Front Street
P.O. Box 5950
Harrisburg, PA 17110-0950
Attorney for Defendant
J
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BY THE COURT,
I V :0114 V 1 1 31 -] 0 1.0076
'1± i t !
I By virtue of this writ, on the 12 day of D e c e n b e r 2 0 0 7. I caused, the
named Ruth Bender & Alice B e ptu Have possession of the premises described w
W>*MK XX h 8 Front t, Enola,. PA 17025
Sworn and subscribed to before me this
Day of ,
Sheriff's Return:
Docketing 18.00
Poundage 2.02
Prothy 2.00
Milage 30.72
Possession 30.00
Surcharge 20.00
So Answers
Sheriff
By
]L raj
Advance Costs: 150.00
Sheriff's Costs: 102.74
47.26
Refunded to Atty on 12/13/07
1-02.74 ? /rl /.3 r/a 7 9,.,
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No Civil Term
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Ruth Bender and Alice Beers
VS.
Donald Wood Sr
WRIT OF POSSESSION
P.R.C.P. 3160-3165 ETC.
Costs
Att'y $ 159.35
Plff (s) $
Prothy $ 2.00
Sheriff $
Plaintiff (s) attorney name and address:
Chrles e. Petrie, kEsq.
3528 Brisban Street
Harrisburg, Pa. 17111
Attorney for Plaintiff (s)
By virtue of this writ, on the
named
appurtenances, and
Sworn and subscribed to before me this
Day of ,
Prothonotary
Where papers may be served
day of . I caused the within
_, to have possession of the premises described with the
So Answers,
Sheriff
By
Deputy
* W2
2
WRIT OF POSSESSION (Ejectment Proceedings PRCP3160-3165 etc.)
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
Ruth Bender
698 Front Street, Enola, Pa. 17025
and Alice Beers
199 Fairmont Avenue, W. Fairview, Pa. 17025
VS. No. 04-2496 Civil Term_
Donald Wood, Sr.
700 High Street
West Fairview, Pa. 17025
Costs
Attorney's $ 159.35
Plaintiff's $
Prothonotary $ 2.00
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA:
COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND:
To the Sheriff of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania
(1) To satisfy the judgment for possession in the above matter you are directed to deliver
possession of the following described property to: (Plaintiff (s))
Ruth Bender 698 Front Street, Enola, Pa. 17025 and Alice Beers 199 Fairmont Avenue, W.
Fairview, Pa. 17025
being: (Premises as follows):
See Attachment
(2) To satisfy the costs against the defendant (s) you are directed to levy upon any
property of the defendant (s) and sell his/her (or their) interest therein.
JS J?
Curtis R. Long, Prothonotary, /^^
Common Pleas Court of Cumberland County, PA
Date October 29, 2007
(Seal)
RUTH BENDER and
ALICE BEERS,
Plaintiffs
V.
DONALD WOOD, SR.,
Defendant
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
: CIVIL ACTION-LAW
No. 04-2496 CIVIL TERM
IN RE: OPINION PURSUANT TO PA. R.A.P. 1925
OLER, J., January 3, 2008.
In this civil action, two devisees of land from their father filed a complaint
in ejectment against a sibling who refused to vacate the property.' The sibling
filed a counterclaim for unjust enrichment.2
Following a bench trial, the court entered a verdict in favor of Plaintiffs and
against Defendant in Plaintiffs' ejectment action, and against Defendant and in
favor of Plaintiffs on Defendant's claim for unjust enrichment.3 Defendant's
motion for post-trial relief was subsequently denied,4 and judgment was entered on
the verdict.5
From the denial of the motion for post-trial relief, Defendant has filed an
appeal to the Pennsylvania Superior Court.6 The issues raised on appeal have been
expressed in a statement of matters complained of on appeal as follows:
1 Plaintiffs' Complaint for Ejectment, filed June 2, 2004.
2 Defendant's Answer with New Matter and Counterclaim, filed August 3, 2004.
3 Verdict, August 7, 2007.
4 Order of Court, October 12, 2007.
5 Writ of Possession, October 29, 2007.
6 Defendant's Notice of Appeal, filed November 13, 2007; A denial of a motion for post-trial
relief is not an appealable order. Fletcher-Harlee Corp. v. Szymanski, 2007 WL 2984153 *2 n.5
(Pa. Super. 2007). However, judgment was entered on the verdict prior to the filing of the notice
of appeal. "While Appellant purported in its notice of appeal that it was appealing from the trial
Court's order denying its motion for post-trial relief, such orders are not appealable until they are
reduced to judgment. However, because judgment subsequently was entered, this appeal is
properly before [the appellate] Court." Id.
VINVAIAS)NNOd
1 Z :$ wv ? - Nvr oooz
d l ?at.;r,','.? d M JO
1. Whether the Court's determination to grant Plaintiff's Complaint
for Ejectment and deny Defendant's Counterclaim for unjust enrichment
was supported by the evidence and the applicable law due to a failure to
apply the equitable principles of unjust enrichment and by ejecting the
Defendant without compensating Defendant for the value of the
improvements paid for and installed by Defendant to the real property at
issue in the Plaintiff's Complaint.
2. Whether the Court's determination to grant Plaintiff's Complaint
for Ejectment and deny Defendant's Counterclaim for unjust enrichment
was supported by the evidence and the applicable law due to a failure to
apply the equitable principles of unjust enrichment and by ejecting
Defendant without compensating Defendant for the value of the money
given by the Defendant to the Plaintiffs for use of the property from 2003
to mid-2007.
3. Whether the Court, in the course of the hearings below, committed
prejudicial error by ignoring certain evidence offered by Defendant,
including but not limited to the Defendant's uncontroverted testimony that
Defendant paid for the materials and installation of all of the existing
improvements on the real property that is the subject matter of Plaintiff's
Complaint.
4. Whether the Court's two orders, dated August 6, 2007, and October
12, 2007 respectively, represent legal error and/or an abuse of discretion
by failing to articulate, in any manner whatsoever, why the Defendant's
claims were denied/dismissed.'
This opinion in support of the judgment is written pursuant to Pennsylvania
Rule of Appellate Procedure 1925(a).
STATEMENT OF FACTS
On a challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence, "we view the evidence in
the light most favorable to the verdict winner, granting that party the benefit of all
reasonable inferences." Hoy v. Angelone, 456 Pa. Super. 596, 604, 691 A.2d 476,
480 (1997). "[T]he trial court acts as the factfinder in a bench trial and may
believe all, part or none of the evidence presented." Ruthrauff, Inc. v. Ravin, Inc.,
2006 PA Super 352, ¶31, 914 A.2d 880, 888.
Viewed in this light, the evidence at trial may be summarized as follows.
Plaintiffs are Ruth Bender, an adult individual residing at 698 Front Street, Enola,
Pennsylvania ,8 and Alice Beers, an adult individual residing at 199 Fairmont
' Defendant's Statement of Matters Complained of on Appeal, filed November 29, 2007.
a N.T. 16, Trial, August 6, 2007 (hereinafter N.T. -).
2
Avenue, Enola, Pennsylvania.9 Defendant is Donald Wood, Sr., an adult
individual residing at 700 High Street, Enola, Pennsylvania.10 The parties are
children of Adelbert Haylon Wood,11 who died on June 29, 1993,12 possessed of
certain land in East Pennsboro Township, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. 13
Under decedent's will, the land was devised to Plaintiffs. 14 It was the
subject of a decree awarding real estate to Plaintiffs dated October 14, 1994.15
The land had been acquired by decedent several decades before his death, 16
and was used as a salvage yard by decedent and Defendant, his son. 17 At the time
of decedent's death, materials for a "pole building" on the property had been
purchased with proceeds of the business,'8 and the building had been partially
erected.19 Without Plaintiffs' knowledge or consent, Defendant proceeded to
complete construction of the building; 20 he also thereafter blacktopped a driveway
on the property without their consent. 21
In spite of Plaintiffs demands that he leave, Defendant continued to operate
the business on Plaintiffs' property.22 Defendant's conduct was described by one
Plaintiff as follows:
9 N.T. 4.
10 N.T. 18-19.
" N.T. 5, 8, 10, 17, 20; Plaintiffs' Ex. 1, trial, August 6, 2007 (hereinafter Plaintiffs'/Defendant's
Ex. _).
12 N.T. 5.
13 Plaintiffs' Ex. 1.
14 N.T. 11; Plaintiffs' Ex. 1.
15 Plaintiffs' Ex. 1.
16 Plaintiffs' Ex. 1.
17 N.T. 19.
18 N.T. 12, 31-32.
19 N.T. 20-21.
2° N.T. 7-9, 12, 33.
2' N.T. 22.
22 N.T. 9.
3
Q And over the years what efforts have you made to have your
brother stop operating his business?
A We have argued with him. We have fussed with him to have
his stuff taken off, not to let those other people on there. In fact, if we
went up there, a lot of times we went up, and he would get angry with us
because we said, this is our property, and we don't want these people up
here. People would meet me in the woods and say, this is private property,
you have to leave.
Q Now by people, what do you mean?
A Well, people that are working for him.
Q And what are they doing?
A Junking.
Q Okay.
A Crushing cars, hauling things out, stuff like that. And people
would come to us. We would stop them from going up there with truck
loads of stuff, and they would say the owner said we could do this.23
Defendant refused to allow access to the building,24 maintained dogs on the
premises "that neither [Plaintiff] c[ould] go near, ,25 refused to sign a lease, 26 and
told them that he was "going to just keep right on doing what I'm doing."27 For
over ten years he utilized the property for his business without paying Plaintiffs
anything.28 In June of 2004, Plaintiffs filed the instant action in ejectment.29
In December of 2004, Defendant began sending monthly checks to
Plaintiffs in the amount of $250.00 or $275.00,30 with a view to covering taxes on
" N.T. 9-10.
24 N.T. 12.
Zs N.T. 12.
26 N.T. 9.
27 N.T. 9.
"N.T. 30.
29 Plaintiffs' Complaint for Ejectment, filed June 2, 2004.
30 N.T. 29-30.
4
the property he was using. 31 Ultimately, Plaintiffs refused to accept further
checks, 32 but Defendant still failed to vacate the premises. 33
At the trial, Defendant testified that the pole building which he completed
construction of in the 1990s34 was worth about $40,000.00,35 but that he could not
estimate the cost of putting the building up. 36 He stated that he had spent between
$6,000.00 and $8,000.00 on macadam for the driveway which he paved,37 and had
paid for an electrical connection for the building. 38 He had been, according to his
testimony, surprised that his father had not devised the property to him.39 He
testified that his efforts to buy the property from Plaintiffs had proven
unsuccessful.40
Defendant's position, which was an understandably defensive one given the
circumstances, was expressed in his testimony as follows:
Q All right. So what are you asking the Court to do?
A I'm only asking for more time. I would like to purchase the
property, if I could, just the building, to use when I move out, to keep my
toys in, my boat and my motor home, over the winter months.
Q And how much time are you asking for?
A As much as I can get. I have a new building in Pittsburgh
that is 60 by 140 that will house my new business. It's going to take some
time to put it up.
Q Well, how much time? Give me a guess.
31 N.T. 29.
32 In July of 2007, Plaintiffs notified Defendant that they would no longer accept these checks.
From December, 2004, to July, 2006, according to Defendant, he paid a total of $8,200.00. N.T.
24-25.
33 See Defendant's Motion for Stay Pending Appeal, filed November 13, 2007.
34 N.T. 21.
3s N.T. 23.
36 N.T. 32.
37 N.T. 23.
38 N.T. 22.
39 N.T. 33.
ao N.T. 26.
5
A It would be nice if I had a year, but I don't look for that to
happen ai
Q [A]s far as the rental payment, for lack of a better phrase, are
you ready, willing, and able to continue to make those payments to your
sisters?
A Absolutely.
Q Would you even agree to a higher amount per month?
A Yes, I would.
Q So possibly purchasing the parcel is one option, continuing
the current arrangement, I'll put that in quotes, is another option. You're
saying you're also looking to relocate the business, but that hasn't
happened yet?
A Right. That's correct.42
At the conclusion of the trial, following arguments by counsel, the court
took the matter under advisement.43 Subsequently, the following verdict was
entered:
AND NOW, this 7th day of August, 2007, upon consideration of
Plaintiffs' Complaint for Ejectment, and of Defendant's Counterclaim for
unjust enrichment, and following a nonjury trial held on August 6, 2007, it
is ordered and directed as follows:
1. On Plaintiffs' Complaint for Ejectment, the Court
finds in favor of Plaintiffs and against Defendant, and
Defendant is directed to vacate the property described in
Plaintiffs' Exhibit 1 (attached hereto), and to remove all
personalty in his possession therefrom, within 60 days of
the date of this order; and
2. On Defendant's Counterclaim for unjust
enrichment, the Court finds in favor of Plaintiffs and
against Defendant.aa
Defendant filed a motion for post-trial relief on August 20, 2007.45 This
motion asserted the following:
1. A bench trial was held on this matter on August 6, 2007.
ai N.T. 33.
"N.T. 34.
as N.T. 38-39.
as Verdict, August 7, 2007.
as Defendant's Motion for Post-Trial Relief, filed August 20, 2007.
6
2. On August 13, 2007, Defendant's counsel was served with a copy
of the Court's August 7, 2007 verdict finding in favor of the Plaintiffs.
3. The Court's verdict made no mention of the substantial
improvements that the Defendant made to the parcel in question, including
the building (and purchase) of a pole building, a macadam driveway and
an extension of the electric service.
4. The Court's verdict makes no mention of the Eight Thousand
Doller ($8,000.00) plus in cash payments that the Defendant made to the
Plaintiffs.
5. The above issues were preserved by counsel for the Defendant at
the pre-trial conference with the Court, and during the parties' closing
arguments at the time of trial.ab
Relief requested by Defendant in the motion for post-trial relief was "that
the Court affirm, modify or change its order to reflect that the Defendant should be
compensated for the improvements to the parcel and/or cash payments made to the
Plaintiffs ."47 This motion was denied by the court, following argument, on
October 12, 2007.48
From the denial of the motion for post-trial relief, Defendant filed a notice
of appeal to the Pennsylvania Superior Court on November 13, 2007.49 Somewhat
inexplicably in view of the limited nature of Defendant's motion for post-trial
relief, Defendant simultaneously filed a motion for a stay pending appeal to permit
Defendant to continue to occupy the property.50 This motion was denied.51
DISCUSSION
On an appeal in a civil case, appellant's issues are limited to those raised in
his or her post-trial motion. See Hysong v. Lewicki, 931 A.2d 63, 65 (Pa. Commw.
Ct. 2007). In the present case, Defendant's motion for post-trial relief did not
challenge the aspect of the court's verdict ejecting him from Plaintiff's premises;
46 Defendant's Motion for Post-Trial Relief, paras. 1-5.
47 Defendant's Motion for Post-Trial Relief, ad damnum clause.
48 Order of Court, October 12, 2007.
49 Defendant's Notice of Appeal, filed November 13, 2007. Judgment had been entered on the
verdict on October 29, 2007.
so Defendant's Motion for Stay Pending Appeal, filed November 13, 2007.
51 Order of Court, December 10, 2007.
7
the motion, instead, sought judgment notwithstanding the verdict on Defendant's
counterclaim for unjust enrichment. To the extent that Defendant's statement of
matters complained of on appeal purports to pursue the issue of the propriety of
ejectment on appeal it is subject to the doctrine of waiver.
"To sustain a claim of unjust enrichment, it must be shown ... that a person
wrongly secured or passively received a benefit that it would be unconscionable to
retain." Martin v. Little, Brown and Co., 304 Pa. Super. 424, 431, 450 A.2d 984,
988 (1981) (emphasis added). In this context, "[a]s a general rule, volunteers have
no right to restitution." Id. In the present case, where (a) Defendant made
improvements to land at a time when he was a volunteer and, in essence, a
trespasser, without the knowledge or consent of the legal owners of the property,
(b) the improvements were for his own benefit and not that of the owners, (c)
Defendant utilized the property to his own economic advantage for many years in
disregard of the owners' legal rights, and (d) following the initiation of litigation
paid the owners money to cover taxes on the property which he continued to
occupy and profit from, the equities requisite to an unjust enrichment claim on his
behalf were not present.
Finally, under Pennsylvania Rule of Civil Procedure 1038(a), a bench trial
is to be conducted "as nearly as may be as a trial by jury." Under Rule 1038(b),
"[t]he decision of the trial judge may consist only of general findings as to all
parties but shall dispose of all claims for relief. The trial judge may include as part
of the decision specific findings of fact and conclusions of law with appropriate
discussion."52 In the present case, the court was no more obligated to make
special findings of fact in rendering its verdict than a jury would have been.
BY THE COURT,
Z
" Pa. R.C.P. 1038(b) (emphasis added).
8
Charles E. Petrie, Esq.
3528 Brisban Street
Harrisburg, PA 17111
Attorney for Plaintiffs
Ronald T. Tomasko, Esq.
3401 North Front Street
P.O. Box 5950
Harrisburg, PA 17110-0950
Attorney for Defendant
Cpa t'E.s
9
IIN168
RECORDS UNDER
CERTIFICATE AND TRANSMITTAL PROCEDURE 1931
RNNSYLVANIA RULE OF APPELLATE
To the Prothonotary of the Apellate Court to which the within matter has been appealed:
SUPERIOR COURT OF PENNSYLVANIA
The undersigned, Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of Cumberland County,
the said court being a court of record, do hereby certify that annexed hereto is a true and
correct copy of the whole and entire record, including an opinion of the court as required
by PA R.A.P. 1925, the original papers and exhibits, if any on file, the transcript of the
proceedings, if any, and the docket entries in the following matter:
Ruth Bender and Alice Beers
VS.
Donald Wood, Sr.
2004-2496 Civil
1907 MDA 2007
The documents comprising the record have been numbered from No.1 to 101, and
attached hereto as Exhibit A is a list of the documents correspondingly numbered and
identified with reasonable definiteness, including with respect to each document, the
number of pages comprising the document.
The date on which the record has been transmitted to the Appellate Court is 01/07/2008 .
Cu s R. Long, P ono
Regina Leb
An additional copy of this certificate is enclosed Please sign and date copy, thereby
acknowledging receipt of this record.
Date Signature & Title
Among the Records and Proceedings enrolled in the court of Common Pleas in and for the
county of Ctnnberland in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
to No. 2004-2496 Civil Term, 19 is contained the following:
COPY OF A- DOCKET ENTRY
Ruth Bender and
Alice Beers
vs.
Donald Wood Sr.
**SEE CERTIFIED COPY OF THE DOCKET ENTRIES **
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
County of Cumberland
In TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto
this 7th
I Curtis R. Long , Prothonotary
of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said
County, do hereby certify that the foregoing is a
full, true and correct copy of the whole record of the
case therein stated, wherein
Ruth Bender and Alice Beers
Plaintiff, and Donald Wood Sr
Defendant , as the same remains of record
before the said Court at No. Q4-2496 -- of
r;vi 1 Term, A.D. 19 .
set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court
day of.,u -A. D•. X2008
Prothonotary
I, Edgar R- B9y1Q,Y President Judge of the Ninth
Judicial District, composed of the County of Cumberland, do certify that
G?tri , R nng , by whom the annexed record, certificate and
attestation were made and given, and who, in his own proper handwriting, thereunto subscribed his name
and affixed the seal of the Court of Common Pleas of said County, was, at the time of so doing, and now is
Prothonotary in and for said County of nunberland in
the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, duly commissioned and qualified to all of whose acts as such full faith
and credit are and ought to be given as well in Courts of judicat s else here, and that the said record,
certificate and .'attestation are-in due form of law and made ywthe prop t
Paesideut Idge
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania ss:
County of Cumberland
1 =is R Ling , Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas in
and for the said County, do certify that the Honorable FAgar B 1?ay1ey
by whom the foregoing attestation was made, and who has thereunto subscribed his name, was, at the time
of making thereof, and still is President Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, Orphan' Court and Court of
Quarter Sessions of the Peace in and for said County, duly Commissioned and'qualified; to all whose acts
as such full faith and credit are and ought to be given, as well in Courtso jtid'icature as elsewhere.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto
set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this ? A t
A. D. I
of
Prothonotary
ss:
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PYS511 Cumberland County Prothonotary's Office Page 1
Civil Case Print
2004-02496 BENDER RUTH ET AL (vs) WOOD DONALD SR
Reference No..: Filed......... 6/02/2004
Case Tie .....: COMPLAINT - EJECTMENT Time.........: 3:20
Judgme... 00 Execution Date 0/00/0000
Judge Assigned: OLER J WESLEY JR Jury Trial....
Disposed Desc.: Disposed Date. 0/00/0000
------------ Case Comments ------------- Higher Crt 1.: 1907 MDA2007
Higher Crt 2.:
********************************************************************************
General Index Attorney Info
BENDER RUTH PLAINTIFF PETRIE CHARLES E
698 FRONT STREET
ENOLA PA 17025
BEERS ALICE PLAINTIFF PETRIE CHARLES E
.199 FAIRMONT AVENUE
WEST FAIRVIEW PA 17025
WOOD DONALD SR DEFENDANT
700 HIGH STREET
WEST FAIRVIEW PA 17025
********************************************************************************
Judgment Index Amount Date Desc
WOOD DONALD SR 10292007 ON VE
WOOD DONALD SR 10Y29/2007 RIITMOFTPOSSESSSIIONT
********************************************************************************
* Date Entries
********************************************************************************
6/02/2004 COMPLAINT - EJECTMENT FIRST ENTRY - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
--------------------=----------------------------------------------
6/28/2004 SHERIFF'S FILE RETURNED FILED.
Case Type: COMPLAINT - EJECTMENT Ret Type.: Regular
Litigant.: WOOD DONALD SR
Add ess..: 700 HIGH STREET
CW St/Zp WEST FAIRVIEW, PA 17025
Hn To: B
Shf/D ty.: S,PWN AARRISON
Date /Time: 06/24[2004 1824:00
Costs....: $38.35 Pd By: CHARLES PETRIE 06/28/2004
-------------------------------------------------------------------
L? 7/23/2004 IMPORTANT NOTICE FILED (DEFAULT JUDGMENT)
-------------------------------------------------------------------
/--/ 8/03/2004 ANSWER WITH NEW MATTER AND COUNTERCLAIM - BY MICHAEL A KORANDA ESQ
---------- ------------------ ---------------------------------------
8/12/2004 REPLY TO NEW MATTER AND COUNTERCLAIM BY CHARLES E PETRIE ESQ
-------------------------------------------------------------------
4f 4/05/2007 PRAECIPE FOR LISTING CASE FOR TRIAL - BY CHARLES E PETRIE ATTY FOR
PLFFS
-------------------------------------------------------------------
4/12/2007 ORDER OF COURT - 04-10-07 - IN RE: NONJURY TRIAL - SCHEDULED
08-06-07 AT 9:30 AM IN CR 1 CUMB CO COURTHOUSE - BY J WESLEY OLER
JR J - COPIES MAILED 04-12-07
--------------------------"-----------------------------------------
-28/07/2007 ORDER OF COURT - DATED 08-06-07 - IN RE: PLFFS COMPLAINT FOR
EJECTMENT AND DEFTS COUNTERCLAIM FOR UNJUST ENRICHMENT - FOLLOWING
A NONJURY TRIAL THE RECORD IS DECLARED CLOSES AND THE MATTER IS
TAKEN UNDER ADVISEMENT - BY J WESLEY OLER JR J - COPIES MAILED
08-08-07
-------------------------------------------------------------------
8/07/2007 VERDICT COUNTERCLAIIM O COMPLAINT AND
FOR UNJUST ENRICHMENT- FOLLOWING A NONJURY
DEFTTS
TRIAL HELD ON 08-06-07 - 1- ON PLFFS COMPLAINT FOR EJECTMENT THE
COURT FINDS IN FAVOR OF PLFFS AND AGAINST DEFT AND DEFT IS
DIRECTED TO VACATE THE PROPERTY DESCRIBED IN PLFFS EXHIBIT 1
(ATTACHED HERETO) AND TO REMOVE ALL PERSONALITY IN HIS POSSESSION
THEREFROM WITHIN 60 DAYS OF THE DATE OF THIS ORDER AND
2- ON DEFTS COUNTERCLAIM FOR UNJUST ENRICHMENT THE COURT FINDS IN
FAVOR OF PLFFS AND AGAINST DEFT - BY J WESLEY JR J - COPIES MAILED
PYS511 Cumberland County Prothonotary's Office Page 2
Civil Case Print
2004-02496 BENDER RUTH ET AL (vs) WOOD DONALD SR
Reference No..: Filed........: 6/02/2004
Case Type ..... : COMPLAINT - EJECTMENT Time.........: 3:20
Judgment ...... • 00 Execution Date 0/00/0000
Judge Assigned: OLER J WESLEY JR Jury Trial....
Disposed Desc.: Disposed Date. 0/00/0000
------------ Case Comments ------------- Higher Crt 1.: 1907 MDA2007
Higher Crt 2.:
08-08-07
-------------------------------------------------------------------
8/20/2007 DEFENDANT'S MOTION FOR POST-TRIAL RELIEF - BY RONALD T TOMASKO
ATTY FOR DEFT
-------------------------------------------------------------------
8/22/2007 PETRIE TOO DEFENDANTS MOTION FOR POST-TRIAL RELIEF - BY CHARLES E
-------------------------------------------------------------------
8/27/2007 ORDER OF COURT - DATED 08-27-07 - IN RE: DEFTS MOTION FOR
POST-TRIAL RELIEF AND PLFFS ANSWER TO DEFTS MOTION FOR POST-TRIAL
RELIEF - ORAL ARGUMENT IS SCHEDULED FOR 10-11-07 AT 1.30 PM IN
COURTROOM NO 1 CUMBERLAND COUNTY COURTHPUSE CARLISLE ?A - BRIEFS
ARE DUS 5 DAYS-PRIOR TO THAT DATE - BY J WESLEY OLER JR J - COPIES
MAILED 08-27-07
-------------------------------------------------------------------
-37 8/27/2007 CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE - ORDER DATED 08-27-07 - BY RONALD T
TOMASKO ATTY FOR DEFT
-------------------------------------------------------------------
3< 10/12/2007 ORDER OF COURT - DATED 10/12/07 - UPON CONSIDERATION OF
DEFENDANT'S MOTION FOR POST-TRIAL RELIEF AND FOLLOWING ORAL
ARGUMENT HELD ON 10/11/07 DEFENDANT'S MOTIN FOR POST-TR?AL RELIEF
IS DENIED - BY J WESLEY OLER JR J - COPIES MAILED 10/12/07
-------------------------------------------------------------------
39-'IS 10/29/2007 PRAECIPE - KINDLY ENTER JUDGMENT UPON THE VERDICT ISSUED BY THE
HONORABLE J WESLEY OLER ON AUGUST 7, 2007 BY CHARLES E PETRIE ESQ
10/29/2007 NOTICE MAILED TO DEFENDANT
-------------------------------------------------------------------
a/ 10/29/2007 PRAECIPE FOR WRIT OF POSSESSION AND WRIT OF POSSESSION ISSUED
R2 .00 COUNTY
CHARLES E PETRIE ESQ
----------------------------------------------------
11/13/2007 MOTION FOR STAY PENDING APPEAL - BY RONALD T TOMASKO ESQ FOR DEFT
-------------------------------------------------------------------
11/13/2007 RNOTICE ONALD OFTOMAEAL ESQSUPERIOR COURT FROM ORDER OF 10/12/07 - BY
T SKO FOR DEFT
-------------------------------------------------------------------
7 -7 11/19/2007 SUPERIOR COURT OF PA NOTICE OF APPEAL DOCKETING TO # 1907 MDA 2007
-------------------------------------------------------------------
76 11/19/2007 ORDER OF COURT - DATED 11-16-07 - IN RE: NOTICE OF APPEAL FILED -
APPELLANT IS DIRECTED PURSUANT TO PA RAP 1925(B) TO FILE OF RECORD
IN THIS COURT AND TO SERVE UPON THE UNDERSIGNED JUDGE A CONCISE
STATEMENT OF MATTERS COMPLAINED OF ON APPEAL NO LATER THAN 14 DAYS
AFTER ENTRY OF THIS ORDER - BY J WESLEY OLER JR J - COPIES MAILED
.11-19-07
--------------- 7---------------------------- -----------------------
77`_7? 11/28/2007 AMENDMENT TO DEFORDEFT MOTION FOR STAY PENDING APPEAL - BY RONALD
------ ------ ------ --------- -------- ------- ------------- -
gt-,511 11/29/2007 PETRIE -AO-TTYE -FORMPLFON FOR STAY PENDING APPEAL - BY CHARLES-E - - - - - - -
-------------------------------------------------------------------
qS_-g 7 11/29/2007 STTTEMENTDOFTMATTERS COMPLAINED OF ON APPEAL - BY RONALD T TOMASKO
A FOR
------
---------------------------------------------------------
?- / 12/11/2007 -O ORDER-OF-COURT---12/10/07-IN-RE:-DEFT-MOTION-FOR-STAY -FF -ANSWER/TO MOTIIO7 - MOTION IS DENIED A- BY WESLEY
APPEAL OLER JR J - COPIES MAILED 12 11//07
-----------------
12/31/2007 SHERIFF'S RETURN- WRIT OF POSSESSION 12/12/07 I CAUSED RUTH -------
BENDER & ALICE BEERS TO HAVE POSSESSION OF 698 FRONT STREET, ENOLA
PA 17025 SO ANSWERS R THOMAS KLINE SHERIFF
SHERIFF PAID $ 2.00 COUNTY SHERIFF'S COSTS $102.74 PD ATTY
-------------------------------------------------------------------
1/04/2008 OPINION PURSUANT 0 PA R A P 1925 - BY J WESLEY OLER JR J -
COPIES MAILED 1/4/T08
-------------------------------------------------------------------
1/07/2008 NOTICE OF DOCKET ENTRIES MAILED TO CHARLES E PETRIE ESQ AND RONALD
PYS511 Cumberland County Prothonotary's Office Page 3
Civil Case Print
2004-02496 BENDER RUTH ET AL (vs) WOOD DONALD SR
Reference No... Filed......... 6/02/2004
Case Type.....: COMPLAINT - EJECTMENT Time...... . 3:20
Judgment......: 00 Execution Date 0/00/0000
Judge Assigned: OLER J WESLEY JR Jury Trial....
Disposed Desc.: Disposed Date. 0/00/0000
------------ Case Comments ------------- Higher Crt 1.: 1907 MDA2007
Higher Crt 2.:
T TOMASKO ESQ
- - - - - - LAST ENTRY - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
* Escrow Information
* Fees & Debits Bal
Beq Pmts/Ad? End Bal
****************** *
************** ******* * ****** **** ***************************
COMPLAINT 35.00 35.00 .00
TAX ON CMPLT .50 .50 .00
SETTLEMENT 5.00 5.00 .00
AUTOMATION 5.00 5.00 .00
JCP FEE 10.00 10.00 .00
PRAECIPE TRIAL 25.00 25.00 .00
JDMT 14.00 14.00 .00
WRIT OF POSSESS 24.00 24.00 .00
APPEAL HIGH CT 48.00 48.00 .00
2007 SHERF FEE 2.00 2.00 .00
---------------
168.50 --------- ---
168.50 ---------
.00
********************************************************************************
* End of Case Information
********************************************************************************
TRUE COPY FROM RECORD
In Testimony whereof, V here unto set my hand
and the seal of said Court at Carlisle, Pa.
This ...... 7. x`.. day of.. ??r t.........
..............?.?(it.?1?.... ?.s2.?,r:.....??1....._
V Prothonotary-
CERTIFICATE AND TRANSMITTAL OF RECORDS UNDER
PENNSYLVANIA RULE OF APPELLATE PROCEDURE 1931 (C)
AMENDED
To the Prothonotary of the Apellate Court to which the within matter has been appealed:
SUPERIOR COURT OF PENNSYLVANIA
The undersigned, Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of Cumberland County,
the said court being a court of record, do hereby certify that annexed hereto is a true and
correct copy of the whole and entire record, including an opinion of the court as required
by PA R.A.P. 1925, the original papers and exhibits, if any on file, the transcript of the
proceedings, if any, and the docket entries in the following matter:
Ruth Bender and Alice Beers
VS.
Donald Wood, Sr.
2004-2496 Civil
1907 MDA 2007
The documents comprising the record have been numbered from No.102 to 141, and
attached hereto as Exhibit A is a list of the documents correspondingly numbered and
identified with reasonable definiteness, including with respect to each document, the
number of pages comprising the document.
The date on which the record has been transmitted to the Appellate Court is 01/15/2007.
Curti . Long, P notary
Regina Lebo
An additional cony of this certificate is enclosed. Please sign and date copy, thereby
acknowledging receipt of this record.
Date
Signature & Title
Among the Records and Proceedings enrolled in the court of Common Pleas in and for the
county of Cumberland in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
1907 MDA 2007
to No. 2004-2496 Civil Term, 19 is contained the following:
COPY OF Appearance DOCKET ENTRY
Ruth Bender and
Alice Beers
VS.
Donald Wood, Sr.
**Amended - SEE CERTIFIED COPY OF THE DOCKET ENTRIES**
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
ss:
County of Cumberland
In TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto
this 15th
1, Curtis R. Long-, Prothonotary
of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said
County, do hereby certify that the foregoing is a
full, true and correct copy of the whole record of the
case therein stated, wherein
Ruth BPndPr And Al i r•P RaarR
Plaintiff, and Donald wocxd, Sr.
Defendant , as the same remains of record
before the said Court at No. 0 4 - 2 4 9 6 of
Civil Term, A. D. 19 .
set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court
day of , tary4_A. D.,X1200
Prothonotary
1, Edgar B Bay ]? ey President Judge of the Ni n+h
Judicial District, composed of the County of Cumberland, do certify that
Curtis R. Long , by whom the annexed record, certificate and
attestation were made and given, and who, in his own proper handwriting, thereunto subscribed his name
and affixed the seal of the Court of Common Pleas of said County, was, at the time of so doing, and now is
Prothonotary in and for said County of Cumberland in
the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, duly commissioned and qualified to all of whose acts as such full faith
and credit are and ought to be given as well in Courts of judicatur se ere, and that the said record,
certificate and attestation are in due form of law and made the propermf tcer
v
Pre ident . ge
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
County of Cumberland ss:
1, Curtis R Long Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas in
and for the said County, do certify that the Honorable F-rl Qa r B RaV l Pjr
by whom the foregoing attestation was made, and who has thereunto subscribed his name, was, at the time
of making thereof, and still is President Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, Orphan' Court and Court of
Quarter Sessions of the Peace in and for said County, duly Commissioned and qualified; to all whose acts
as such full faith and credit are and ought to be given, as well in Courts of judicature as elsewhere.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto
set my hand and affixed the seal of said Court this
15t.N of Januar p. X2008
Prothonotary
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Civil Case Print
2004-02496 BENDER RUTH ET AL (vs) WOOD DONALD SR
Reference No..: Filed........: 6/02/2004
Case Type ..... : COMPLAINT - EJECTMENT Time.........: 3:20
Judgment..... 00 Execution Date 0/00/0000
Judge Assigned: OLER J WESLEY JR Jury Trial....
Disposed Desc.: Disposed Date. 0/00/0000
------------ Case Comments ------------- Higher Crt 1.: 1907 MDA2007
Higher Crt 2.:
********************************************************************************
General Index Attorney Info
BENDER RUTH PLAINTIFF PETRIE CHARLES E
698 FRONT STREET
ENOLA PA 17025
BEERS ALICE PLAINTIFF PETRIE CHARLES E
199 FAIRMONT AVENUE
WEST FAIRVIEW PA 17025
WOOD DONALD SR DEFENDANT
700 HIGH STREET
WEST FAIRVIEW PA 17025
********************************************************************************
Judgment Index Amount Date Desc
WOOD DONALD SR 10292007 ON VE
WOOD DONALD SR 10/29/2007 WRDITMOFTPOSSESSSIIONT
********************************************************************************
* Date Entries
- - --- - - - - - - - - - FIRST ENTRY - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
6/02/2004 COMPLAINT - EJECTMENT
-------------------------------------------------------------------
r?`' 6/28/2004 SHERIFF'S FILE RETURNED FILED.
Case Type: COMPLAINT - EJECTMENT Ret Type.: Regular
Litigant.: WOOD DONALD SR
Address..: 700 HIGH STREET
Ctyy/St/Z • WEST FAIRVIEW, PA 17025
Hnd To: BARB WOOD WIFE
Shf/D ty.: SH?WN IhARRISON
Date/ Time: 06 24/2004 1824:00
Costs....: $38.35 Pd By: CHARLES PETRIE 06/28/2004
-------------------------------------------------------------------
7/23/2004 IMPORTANT NOTICE FILED (DEFAULT JUDGMENT)
-------------------------------------------------------------------
/O-0 8/03/2004 ANSWER WITH NEW MATTER AND COUNTERCLAIM - BY MICHAEL A KORANDA ESQ
---------------------------------------------
8/12/2004 REPLY TO NEW MATTER AND COUNTERCLAIM BY CHARLES E PETRIE ESQ
-------------------------------------------------------------------
4/05/2007 PRAECIPE FOR LISTING CASE FOR TRIAL - BY CHARLES E PETRIE ATTY FOR
PLFFS
-------------------------------------------------------------------
4/12/2007 ORDER OF COURT - 04-10-07 - IN RE: NONJURY TRIAL - SCHEDULED
08-06-07 AT 9:30 AM IN CR 1 CUMB CO COURTHOUSE - BY J WESLEY OLER
JR J - COPIES MAILED 04-12-07
-------------------------------------------------------------------
c_3 8/07/2007 ORDER OF COURT - DATED 08-06-07 - IN RE: PLFFS COMPLAINT FOR
EJECTMENT AND DEFTS COUNTERCLAIM FOR UNJUST ENRICHMENT - FOLLOWING
A NONJURY TRIAL THE RECORD IS DECLARED CLOSES AND THE MATTER IS
TAKEN UNDER ADVISEMENT - BY J WESLEY OLER JR J - COPIES MAILED
08-08-07
-------------------------------------------------------------------
8/07/2007 VERDICT COUNTERCLAIM O COMPLAINT EJECTMENT AND
FOR UNJUST ENRICHMENT- FOLLOWING ANONJURY
DEFTTS
TRIAL HELD ON 08-06-07 1- ON PLFFS COMPLAINT FOR EJECTMENT THE
COURT FINDS IN FAVOR OF PLFFS AND AGAINST DEFT AND DEFT IS
DIRECTED TO VACATE THE PROPERTY DESCRIBED IN PLFFS EXHIBIT 1
(ATTACHED HERETO) AND TO REMOVE ALL PERSONALITY IN HIS POSSESSION
THEREFROM WITHIN 60 DAYS OF THE DATE OF THIS ORDER AND
2- ON DEFTS COUNTERCLAIM FOR UNJUST ENRICHMENT THE COURT FINDS IN
FAVOR OF PLFFS AND AGAINST DEFT - BY J WESLEY JR J - COPIES MAILED
rivi.itvttv?aty vil.i?.c rayc
Civil Case Print
2004-02496 BENDER RUTH ET AL (vs) WOOD DONALD SR
Reference No..: Filed......... 6/02/2004
Case Tye...... COMPLAINT - EJECTMENT Time. .... . 3.20
Judgmen .... 00 Execution Date 0/00/0000
Judge Assigned: OLER J WESLEY JR Jury Trial....
Disposed Desc.: Disposed Date. 0/00/0000
------------ Case Comments ------------- Higher Crt 1.: 19077 MDA2007
Higher Crt 2.:
08-08-07
-------------------------------------------------------------------
_',? 3 8/20/2007 DEFENDANT'S MOTION FOR POST-TRIAL RELIEF - BY RONALD T TOMASKO
ATTY FOR DEFT
-------------------------------------------------------------------
?/ 8/22/2007 ANSWER TOTDEFONDANTS MOTION FOR POST-TRIAL RELIEF - BY CHARLES E
-------------------------------------------------------------------
8/27/2007 ORDER OF COURT - DATED 08-27-07 _ IN RE: DEFTS MOTION FOR
POST-TRIAL RELIEF AND PLFFS ANSWER TO DEFTS MOTION FOR POST-TRIAL
RELIEF - ORAL ARGUMENT IS SCHEDULED FOR 10-11-07 AT 1.30 PM IN
COURTROOM NO 1 CUMBERLAND COUNTY COURTHPUSE CARLISLE ?A - BRIEFS
ARE DUS 5 DAYS PRIOR TO THAT DATE - BY J WESLEY OLER JR J - COPIES
MAILED 08-27-07
-------------------------------------------------------------------
3'7 8/27/2007 CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE - ORDER DATED 08-27-07 - BY RONALD T
TOMASKO ATTY FOR DEFT
-------------------------------------------------------------------
3 1? 10/12/2007 ORDER OF COURT - DATED 10/12/07 - UPON CONSIDERATION OF
DEFENDANT'S MOTION FOR POST-TRIAL RELIEF AND FOLLOWING ORAL
ARGUMENT HELD ON 10/11/07 DEFENDANT'S MOTIN FOR POST-TR AL RELIEF
IS DENIED - BY J WESLEY OLER JR J - COPIES MAILED 10/12//07
-------------------------------------------------------------------
10/29/2007 PRAECIPE - KINDLY ENTER JUDGMENT UPON THE VERDICT ISSUED BY THE
HONORABLE J WESLEY OLER ON AUGUST 7, 2007 BY CHARLES E PETRIE ESQ
-------------------------------------------------------------------
10/29/2007 NOTICE MAILED TO DEFENDANT
-------------------------------------------------------------------
10/29/2007 PRAECIPE FOR WRIT OF POSSESSION AND WRIT OF POSSESSION ISSUED
2.00 COUNTY
8Y CHARLES E PETRIE ESQ
------ ------- ------- ------- ------------ ---------- ---------------
11/13/2007 MOTION-FOR-STAY-PENDING APPEAL - BY RONALD T TOMASKO ESQ FOR DEFT
-------------------------------------------------------------------
ls°?` APPEAL 11/13/2007 RONOTICE NALD OFTOMASKO ESQSUPERIOR COURT FROM ORDER OF 10/12/07 - BY FOR DEFT
-------------------------------------------------------------------
7a?- 7 11/19/2007 SUPERIOR COURT OF PA NOTICE OF APPEAL DOCKETING TO # 1907 MDA 2007
-------------------------------------------------------------------
11/19/2007 ORDER OF COURT - DATED 11-16-07 - IN RE: NOTICE OF APPEAL FILED -
APPELLANT IS DIRECTED PURSUANT TO PA RAP 1925(B) TO FILE OF RECORD
IN THIS COURT AND TO SERVE UPON THE UNDERSIGNED JUDGE A CONCISE
STATEMENT OF MATTERS COMPLAINED OF ON APPEAL NO LATER THAN 14 DAYS
AFTER ENTRY OF THIS ORDER - BY J WESLEY OLER JR J - COPIES MAILED
11-19-07
-------------------------------------------------------------------
?? 7fj" 11/28/2007 AMENDMENT TO DEFENDANTS MOTION FOR STAY PENDING APPEAL - BY RONALD
T TOMASKO ESQ FOR DEFT
------------ ---------------------------------------------------
y?r 11/29/2007 ANSWER TO DEFT MOTION FOR STAY PENDING APPEAL - BY CHARLES E
PETRIE ATTY FOR PLFF
------------------------------------
s7 11/29/2007 STATEMENT OF MATTERS COMPLAINED OF ON APPEAL - BY RONALD T TOMASKO
ATTY FOR DEFT
----- --------- ----------- ------------ ------- --------- --------------
12/11/2007 ORDER OF COURT - 12/10/07 IN RE: DEFT MOTION FOR STAY PENDING
APPEAL AND PLFF ANSWER TO MOTIO - MOTION IS DENIED - BY J WESLEY
OLER JR J - COPIES MAILED 12/1107
HERIFF'S RETURN - WRIT OF POSSESSION 12/12/07 I CAUSED RUTH
--------- ------ - ---- -- ---------- -------- - ------ ----
12/31/2007 S
PAN170025 ALICE BEERS R HOMASSKLINENSHOF 698 FRONT ERIFF SHERIFFTPAID, $E2? 0
COUNTY SHERIFF'S COSTS $102.74 PD ATTY
-------------------------------------------------------------------
_/ 1/04/2008 OPINIONMAIRSUANT TO PA R A P 1925 - BY J WESLEY OLER JR J -
COPIES -------------------------------------------------------------------
1/07/2008 NOTICE OF DOCKET ENTRIES MAILED TO CHARLES E PETRIE ESQ AND RONALD
Civil Case Print
2004-02496 BENDER RUTH ET AL (vs) WOOD DONALD SR
Reference No..: Filed........:
:
Time 6/02/2004
3:20
Case Ty e.....: COMPLAINT - EJECTMENT
00 .........
Execution Date 0/00/0000
Jud men......:
Judge Assigned: OLER J WESLEY JR
:
Disposed Desc Jury Trial....
Disposed Date.
0/00/0000
.
------------ Case Comments -- ---------- - Higher Crt 1.: 19077 MDA2007
Higher Crt 2.:
T TOMASKO ESQ
-----------
---------------
------------
----------------------------
led 1/10/2008 TRANSCRIPT OF PROCEEDINGS -
--------------- -
BY J WESLEY
------------ OLER JR J
---------------
------------
-------------
1/15/2008 NOTICE OF DOCKET ENTRIES MAILED TO CHARLES E PETRIE AND ROANLD T
TOMASKO
- - - - - - - LAST ENTRY - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
* Escrow Information
* Fees & Debits Beg Bal ymts/Ad?
P End Bal
***************************
****************************** ** ******* *
* ****** *** *
COMPLAINT 35.00 35.00 .00
TAX ON CMPLT
SETTLEMENT .50
5.00 .50
5.00 .00
.00
AUTOMATION 5.00 5.00 .00
JCP FEE 10.00 10.00 .00
PRAECIPE TRIAL 25.00 25.00 .00
00
JDMT 14.00 14.00 .
WRIT OF POSSESS 24.00 24.00 .00
APPEAL HIGH CT 48.00 48.00 .00
2007 SHERF FEE 2.00
------ 2.00
--------- -- .00
----------
----- ----
168.50 168.50 .00
********************************************************************************
* End of Case Information
l ? Copy ANA ???f??"RD
` Rik,,i a. hand
In Testimony whereof, I here unto set may
and the seal of said Court at Carlisle, Pa.
.:... day ..........,
This ..... ......
. ?. -4..
""" Prothonotary
Mr. Curtis R. Long
Prothonotary
Cumberland County Courthouse
1 Courthouse Square
Carlisle, PA 17013
c
---------------------------------------------
1013-10/99 10/1/99
Karen Reid Bramblett, Esq.
Prothonotary
James D. McCullough, Esq.
Deputy Prothonotary
w
Superior Court of Pennsylvania
Middle District
January 18, 2008
RE: Bender, R. et al v. Wood, D.
No. 1907 MDA 2007
Trial Court Docket Number: 2004-02496
Dear:
101) Pine Street. Suite 400
Harrisbure. PA 17101
717-772-1294
wane. superior. court. state. pa. us
Enclosed please find a certified copy of an order dated January 18, 2008 entered in the
above-captioned matter.
Very truly yours,
VSL
ees D. McCullough; sq.
Deputy Prothonotary
cc: Charles E. Petrie, Esq.
The Honorable J. Wesley Oler, Jr.
Judge
Mr. Curtis R. Long
Prothonotary
No.: 1907 MDA 2007
Carbon Copy Recipient List
Addressed To: Ronald Thomas Tomasko, Esq.
Mette, Evans & Woodside
3401 N Front Street Fl 2
PO Box 5950
Harrisburg, PA 17110-0950
Carbon Copied: Charles E. Petrie, Esq.
3528 Brisban Street
Harrisburg, PA 17111
Mr. Curtis R. Long
Prothonotary
Cumberland County Courthouse
1 Courthouse Square
Carlisle, PA 17013
The Honorable J. Wesley Oler, Jr.
Court of Common Pleas of Cumberland County
Cumberland County Courthouse, One Courthouse Sq
Carlisle, PA 17013
1013 -10/99
10/1/99
Ruth Bender and Alice Beers
V.
Donald Wood, Sr.
ORDER
IN THE SUPERIOR COURT
OF PENNSYLVANIA
(C.P. Cumberland County
No. 2004-02496)
No. 1907 MDA 2007
Filed: January /$ , 2008
Upon consideration of the application of appellant for stay and
injunction pending appeal, the application is hereby DENIED.
Per Curiam
- T-Rte-E-CflFy-MM _RECO
Attest: JAN 18 2008
'I (
z4 I - Depu thonotary
superior court of PA - Middle District
^
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401
Superior Court of Pennsylvania
Karen Reid Bramblett, Esq. Middle District
Prothonotary
James D. McCullough, Esq. September 19, 2008
Deputy Prothonotary
Certificate of Remittal/Remand of Record
TO: Mr. Curtis R. Long
Prothonotary
RE: Bender, R. et al v. Wood, D.
No. 1907 MDA 2007
Trial Court/Agency Dkt. Number: 2004-02496
Trial Court/Agency Name: Cumberland County Court of Common Pleas
Intermediate Appellate Court Number:
Annexed hereto pursuant to Pennsylvania Rules of Appellate
is the entire record for the above matter.
Contents of Original Record:
Original Record Item
Part
Supplemental part
Date of Remand of Record:
Filed Date C
January 8, 2008 1
January 15, 2008 1
OCT 2 7 W
ORIGINAL RECIPIENT ONLY - Please acknowledge receipt by sig
returning the enclosed copy of this certificate to our office. Copy recipients (1
not acknowledge receipt. 41-- "*? c &4&, ,
Ja s D. McCullough, Esq.
Deputy Prothonotary
Signature
Date
100 Pine Street. Suite 400
Harrisburg, PA 17101
717-772-1294
www.superioncourt.state.pa.us
2571 and 2572
, dating, and
i below) need
Printed Name
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1. A24001/08
NON-PRECEDENTIAL DECISION - SEE SUPERIOR COURT ?.O.P. 65.37
RUTH BENDER AND ALICE BEERS,
Appellees
VS. .
DONALD WOOD, SR., .
Appellant .
IN THE SUPERIPR COURT OF
PENNSYLVANIA
No. 1907 MDA 2007
Appeal from the Judgment entered October 29, 2(
In the Court of Common Pleas of Cumberland Cou
Civil, No. 2004-02496
BEFORE: GANTMAN, SHOGAN, AND KELLY, JJ.
MEMORANDUM: FILED: September 19, 2008
Appellant, Donald Wood, Sr., appeals from the judg
the Cumberland County Court of Common Pleas, in favor of
Bender and Alice Beers, in their ejectment action. We affirm.
it entered in
llees, Ruth
In its opinion, the trial court fully and correctly sets forth Ithe relevant
facts and procedural history of this case. Therefore, we have Oo reason to
restate them. I
Appellant raises the following issues for our review:
WHETHER THE TRIAL COURT ERRED, ABUSED S
L
DISCRETION OR OTHERWISE HAD NO SUBSTANJND
EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT EJECTING [APPELLANT] DENYING HIS COUNTERCLAIM FOR UNJUST ENRICHM T
SINCE THE EVIDENCE AND THE APPLICABLE W
SUPPORT THE APPLICATION OF THE EQUITE
J. A24001/08
DOCTRINE OF UNJUST ENRICHMENT FOR THE VALI E OF
IMPROVEMENTS PAID FOR AND INSTALLED BY
[APPELLANT] TO THE REALTY AT ISSUE?
WHETHER THE TRIAL COURT ERRED, ABUSED ITS
DISCRETION OR OTHERWISE HAD NO SUBSTANTIAL
EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT EJECTING [APPELLANTS AND
DENYING HIS COUNTERCLAIM FOR UNJUST ENRICH ENT
SINCE THE EVIDENCE AND THE APPLICABLE LAW
SUPPORT THE APPLICATION OF THE EQUIT BLE
DOCTRINE OF UNJUST ENRICHMENT FOR THE VALU OF
THE MONEY GIVEN BY [APPELLANT] TO APPELLEES, FOR
USE OF THE PROPERTY FROM 2003 TO MID-20077
(Appellant's Brief at 4).
Initially, we observe:
Our appellate role in cases arising from non-jury trii
verdicts is to determine whether the findings of th
trial court are supported by competent evidence an
whether the trial court committed error in an
application of the law. The findings of fact of th
trial judge must be given the same weight and effec
on appeal as the verdict of a jury. We consider th
evidence in a light most favorable to the verdi(
winner. We will reverse the trial court only if ii
findings of fact are not supported by competer
evidence in the record or if its findings are premise
on an error of law. However, as the issue ...concerr
a question of law, our scope of review is plenary.
The trial court's conclusions of law on appeal origins ing
from a non-jury trial are not binding on an appellate court
because it is the appellate court's duty to determine if he
trial court correctly applied the law to the facts of the ca e.
When reviewing the sufficiency of the evidence... this Court
must determine whether the evidence and all reasona le
inferences therefrom, viewed in the light most favorable to
the verdict winner, was sufficient to enable the fact-fin er
to find against the losing party. A challenge to he
sufficiency of the evidence in a civil case is reviewed on
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•
J. A24001/08
appeal as a claim that the trial court erred in denying a
motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict ("JN V").
A ]NOV can be entered upon two bases: (1) whOr
the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter c
law; and/or, (2) the evidence was such that no t
reasonable minds could disagree that the verd c
should have been rendered for the movant. Wh
reviewing a trial court's denial of a motion for ]NO
we must consider all of the evidence admitted
decide if there was sufficient competent evidence
sustain the verdict. In so doing, we must also vie
this evidence in the light most favorable to t
verdict winner, giving the victorious party the bene
of every reasonable inference arising from t
evidence and rejecting all unfavorable testimony a
inference. Concerning any questions of law, o?
scope of review is plenary. Concerning questions c
credibility and weight accorded the evidence at tria
we will not substitute our judgment for that of th
finder of fact. If any basis exists upon which th
[court] could have properly made its award, then w
must affirm the trial court's denial of the motion fc
]NOV. A ]NOV should be entered only in a ciez
case.
Atlantic LB, Inc. v. Vrbicek, 905 A.2d 552,
(internal citations and quotation marks omitted).
557-58 (Pa.Soper.
2006)
After a thorough review of the record, the briefs of the `parties, the
applicable law, and the well-reasoned opinion of the HonorablO J. Wesley
Oler, Jr., we conclude Appellant's issues merit no relief. Thq trial court
opinion comprehensively discusses and properly disposes of the questions
presented. (See Trial Court Opinion, filed January 4, 2008, at 7-8) (finding:
(1) as preliminary matter, Appellant waived all issues related directly to
propriety of ejectment, for failure to preserve them in post-verd# motions;
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r +
J. A24001/08
(2) Appellant made improvements to property as volunteer and trespasser
without Appellees' knowledge or consent; these improvements benefited
Appellant only, and Appellant's use of property was for his Own economic
interests; (3) Appellant's recent, self-settled monthly payments to Appellees
for several years barely covered taxes, while Appellant continued to occupy
and utilize property solely for his own economic purposes, Ito Appellees'
exclusion). Accordingly, we affirm on the basis of the trial court's opinion.
Judgment affirmed.
Judgment Entered:
a
ruty?Prothonotary
September 19, 2008
Date:
N
CERTIFICATE AND TRANSMITTAL OF RECORDS UNDER
PENNSYLVANIA RULE OF APPELLATE PROCEDURE 1931 (C)
To the Prothonotary of the Apellate Court to which the within matter has been appealed:
SUPERIOR COURT OF PENNSYLVANIA
The undersigned, Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of Cumberland County,
the said court being a court of record, do hereby certify that annexed. hereto is a true and
correct copy of the whole and entire record, including an opinion of the court as required
by PA R.A.P. 1925, the original papers and exhibits, if any on file, the transcript of the
proceedings, if any, and the docket entries in the following matter:
Ruth Bender and Alice Beers
vs.
Donald Wood, Sr.
2004-2496 Civil
1907 MDA 2007
• The documents comprising the record have been numbered from No.l to 101, and
attached hereto as Exhibit A is a list of the documents correspondingly numbered and
identified with reasonable definiteness, including with respect to each document, the
number of pages comprising the document.
The date on which the record has been transmitted to the Appellate Court is 01/07/2008 .
0~
C rtis R. Lon o hon ry
Regina Le
An additional copy of this certificate is enclosed. ~I~Q~ ~I~l~rA~ ~$~~ cony, thereby
acknowledging receipt of this record.
SAN o a zoos
Date Signature & Ti,~DLE
C
• CERTIFICATE AND TRANSMITTAL OF RECORDS UNDER
PENNSYLVANIA RULE OF APPELLATE PROCEDURE 1931 (C)
AMENDED
To the Prothonotary of the Apellate Court to which the within matter has been appealed:
SUPERIOR COURT OF PENNSYLVANIA
The undersigned, Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of Cumberland County,
the said court being a court of record, do hereby certify that annexed hereto is a true and
correct copy of the whole and entire record, including an opinion of the court as required
by PA R.A.P. 1925, the original papers and exhibits, if any on file, the transcript of the
proceedings, if any, and the docket entries in the following matter:
Ruth Bender and Alice Beers
vs.
Donald Wood, Sr.
2004-2496 Civil
1907 MDA 2007
r The documents comprising the record have been numbered from No.102 to 141, and
attached hereto as Exhibit A is a list of the documents correspondingly numbered and
identified with reasonable definiteness, including with respect to each document, the
number of pages comprising the document.
The date on which the record has been transmitted to the Appellate Court is 01/15/2007 .
/~
Cu is R. Lon o onota
Regina Lebo
An additional copy of this certificate is enclosed Please sign and date copy, thereby
acknowledging receipt of this record.
Date Signature & Title
in ~uperlor Court
JAN 1 5 20~~8
MIDp~E
A
CERTIFICATE AND TRANSMITTAL OF RECORDS UNDER
i PENNSYLVANIA RULE OF APPELLATE PROCEDURE 1931 (C)
AMENDED
To the Prothonotary of the Apellate Court to which the within matter has been appealed:
SUPERIOR COURT OF PENNSYLVANIA
The undersigned, Prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas of Cumberland County,
the said court being a court of record, do hereby certify that annexed hereto is a true and
correct copy of the whole and entire record, including an opinion of the court as required
by PA R.A.P. 1925, the original papers and exhibits, if any on file, the transcript of the
proceedings, if any, and the docket entries in the following matter:
Ruth Bender and Alice Beers
vs.
Donald Wood, Sr.
2004-2496 Civil
1907 MDA 2007
• The documents comprising the record have been numbered from No.102 to 141, and
attached hereto as Exhibit A is a list of the documents correspondingly numbered and
identified with reasonable definiteness, including with respect to each document, the
number of pages comprising the document.
The date on which the record has been transmitted to the Appellate Court is 01/15/2007 .
~t
Cu s R. Long, not
Regina Lebo
An additional copy of this certificate is enclosed. Please sign and date cony, thereby
acknowledging receipt of this record.
Date Sig ~' x=~'~~~' r~-~„~., ,~F.,,.._.~
. Y :;
. j,~°
~f~!~' 1