HomeMy WebLinkAbout13-0660,;
~" '~ _:_ 1~i i r =,~~~
I3 ~~P
U~~9t~ERl.~t~) r +.f ,~~ .,.
~EtdRdS YL.~,~ ~~ f,'$,
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
DON PAUL SHEARER
422 NORTH FRONT STREET
WORMLEYSBURG, PA 17043
No. 13 - ~6
Civil Action - (xx) Law
( )Equity
JURY TRIAL DEMANDED
c,;~< < ~~
GREG EVANS
457 TEXTER MOUNTAIN ROAD
versus ROBESONIA, PA 19551
RENEE M. RHOADS EVANS
f/k/a RENEE M. RHOADS
710 N. HIGHLANDS DRIVE
HARRISBURG, PA 17111
Plaintiff & Address
Defendants & Addresses
PRAECIPE FOR WRIT OF SUMMONS
TO THE PROTHONOTARY OF SAID COURT:
Please issue writ of summons in the above-captioned action.
XX Writ of Summons shall be issued and forwarded to ( ) Attorne
Howard B. Krug, Esquire
PURCELL. KRUG & HALLER
1719 N. Front Street
Harrisburg, PA 17102
(717) 234-4178
Name /Address /Telephone No. of Attorney
WRIT OF SUMMONS
Supreme Court ID No. 16826
Date: ~ ~ (o - ~I~
TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANTS: GREG EVANS and RENEE M. RHOADS EVANS
f/k/a RENEE M. RHOADS
YOU ARE NOTIFIED THAT THE ABOVE-NAMED PLAINTIFF, DON PAUL SHEARER, HAS
COMMENCED AN ACTION AGAINST YOU.
Prothonotary
Date: ~ ~ / ~~-~~ 3
Check here if reverse is issued for additional information.
Prothon. - 55
~" l 03 . ~l~ ~~ ~~
C-##.30 oc~ a
SHERIFF'S OFFICE OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY
Ronny RAnderson FILED-OFFICE
Sheriff OF THE PRO THGNt�"�t:R``'
C14 of uu�br �
Jody S Smith 2013 MAR 18 AM 9: 56
Chief Deputy r
Richard W Stewart ;.a. p CUMBERLAND COU14TY
Solicitor OFFICE OF THE SHERI F` PENNSYLVANIA
Don Paul Shearer Case Number
vs.
Greg Evans(et al.) 2013"660
SHERIFF'S RETURN OF SERVICE
02/08/2013 Sheriff Ronny R Anderson, being duly sworn according to law,states he made diligent search and inquiry
for the within named Defendant to wit: Greg Evans, but was unable to locate the Defendant in the
Sheriffs bailiwick.The Sheriff therefore deputizes the Sheriff of Berks, Pennsylvania to serve the within
Writ of Summons according to law.
02/08/2013 Sheriff Ronny R Anderson, being duly sworn according to law,states he made diligent search and inquiry
for the within named Defendant to wit: Renee M Rhoads Evans,but was unable to locate the Defendant
in the Sheriffs bailiwick.The Sheriff therefore deputizes the Sheriff of Dauphin, Pennsylvania to serve the
within Writ of Summons according to law.
02/16/2013 09:00 AM-The requested Writ of Summons served by the Sheriff of Dauphin County upon Chris Garcia,
adult son of defendant,who accepted for Renee M Rhoads Evans, at 710 N. Highlands Drive, Harrisburg,
PA 17111. Jack Lotwick, Sheriff, Return of Service attached to and made part of the within record.
03/08/2013 10:15 AM-The requested Writ of Summons served by the Sheriff of Berks County upon Greg Evans,
personally, at 457 Texter Mountain Road, Robesonia, PA 19551. Eric J. Weaknecht, Sheriff, Return of
Service attached to and made part of the within record.
SHERIFF COST: $62.46 SO ANSWERS,
March 08, 2013 RbNPn R ANDERSON, SHERIFF
i
(c+CountySuite Sheriff,Teteosoft,Inc.
COUNTY O S, PENNSYLVANIA
,RTY"�N� SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT
Courthouse-3rd Floor Phone: 610.478.6240
633 Court Street Fax:610.478.6222
7 �7 Reading,PA 19601
S*C Eric J. Weaknecht, Sheriff John Stanton, Chief Deputy .
AFFIDAVIT OF SERVICE
DOCKET NO. 13-660
COMMONWEALTH OF
PENNSYLVANIA:
COUNTY OF BERMS
Personally appeared before me,Herbert Carter,Deputy for Eric J.Weaknecht, Sheriff of Berks County,633
Court Street,Reading, Pennsylania,who being duly sworn according to law, deposes and says that on 2/13/2013
10:15:OOAM,he served the annexed Summons upon GREG EVANS,within named defendant,by handing a
copy thereof to GREG EVANS,HIM personally, at 457 TEXTER MOUNTAIN ROAD,Heidelberg Township,
Berks County,Pa.,and made known to defendant the contents therea
Pl SHERIFF OF BERMS COUNTY.,PA
Sworn and subscribed before me Herbert Carter
this 14 clay of Feb,2013
&7
<::�I i I I
NOTA T11,ICY, EADING,BERMS CO.,PA
NOTARIAL SEAL Services made as set forth above
JENNN�R DEFREES
Nobly Public
ING CITY,KIRKS COUNTY
i
uuMNon Expitoo JO 20.2016 So Answers,
SHERIF OF BERMS COUNTY,PA
Eric J. Weaknecht
Sheriffs Costs in Above Proceedings
$ 100.00 DEPOSIT
$ 39.82 ACTUAL COST OF CASE
$ 60.18 AMOUNT OF REFUND
All Sheriffs Costs shall be due and payable when services are performed, and it shall be lawful for him to
demand and receive from the party instituting the proceedings,or any part liable for the costs thereof,all unpaid
sheriffs fees on the same before he shall be obligated by law to make return thereof.
_Sec.2,Act of June 20, 1911,P.L/ 1072
Dedicated to public service with integrity, virtue & excellence
www.countyofbe jtj.comJsheriff
tf, o '
Shelled Ruhl Jack Duignan
Real Esta a Deputy Chief Deputy
Matthew L. Owens ' Michael W. Rinehart
Solicitor Assistant Chief Deputy
Dauphin County
101 Market Street
Harrisburg,Pennsylvania 17101-2079
ph:(717)780-6590 fax:(717)255-2889
Jack Lotwick
Sheriff
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania DON PAUL SHEARER
VS
County of Dauphin RENEE M. RHOADS EVANS F/K/A RENEE
M. RHOADS
Sheriff s Return
No. 2013-T-0435
OTHER COUNTY NO. 2013-660
And now: FEBRUARY 16, 2013 at 9:00:00 AM served the within WRIT OF SUMMONS upon
RENEE M. RHOADS EVANS F/K/A RENEE M. RHOADS by personally handing to CHRIS
GARCIA 1 true attested copy of the original WRIT OF SUMMONS and making known to him/her the
contents thereof at 710 N. HIGHLANDS DRIVE HARRISBURG PA 17111
ADULT SON OF DEFENDANT AND PERSON IN CHARGE AT TIME OF SERVICE.
Sworn and subscribed to So Answers,
before me this 19TH day of February, 2013 V i�
- `L ' f She f Dauphin Co ty, Pa. •
�( By
COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA Dep Sheriff
NOTARIAL SEAL De : J MILLER
Karen M.Hoffman,Notary Public
City of Harrisburg,Dauphin County S ff s Costs: $47.25 2/14/2013
My Commission Expires August 17,2014
'FIF I C E-
Howard B. Krug, Esquire
!t,RL 9,14D
ID#16826 �rj ANA
Purcell, Krug & Haller
1719 North Front Street
Harrisburg, PA 17102
(717)234-4178
hkrug@pkh.com
DON PAUL SHEARER, IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
Plaintiff CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
V.
NO. 13-660 Civil Term
GREG EVANS, and
RENEE M. RHOADS EVANS,
formerly RENEE M. RHOADS,
Defendants CIVIL ACTION - LAW
NOTICE TO DEFEND
YOU HAVE BEEN SUED IN COURT. IF YOU WISH TO DEFEND AGAINST
THE CLAIMS SET FORTH IN THE FOLLOWING 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 RIGHTS IMPORTANT TO YOU.
YOU SHOULD TAKE THIS PAPER TO YOUR LAWYER AT ONCE. IF YOU
DO NOT HAVE A LAWYER OR CANNOT AFFORD ONE, GO TO OR TELEPHONE
THE OFFICE SET FORTH BELOW TO FIND OUT WHERE YOU CAN GET LEGAL
HELP.
CUMBERLAND COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION
32 SOUTH BEDFORD STREET
CARLISLE, PA 17013
1-800-990-9108
717-249-3166
Howard B. Krug, Esquire
PA Supreme Court ID# 16826
Purcell, Krug & Haller
1719 North Front Street
Harrisburg, PA 17102
Phone: (717) 234-4178
Fax: (717) 234-0409
hkrugCaD.pkh.com
DON PAUL SHEARER, IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
Plaintiff CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
vs. NO. 1:3-to (j* t IT"
GREG EVANS,
and RENEE M. RHOADS EVANS,
formerly RENEE M. RHOADS, CIVIL ACTION - LAW
COMPLAINT
AND NOW, COMES Plaintiff, Don Paul Shearer, by his attorneys, Purcell, Krug
& Haller and files the following Complaint:
1. Plaintiff is Don Paul Shearer (hereinafter "Shearer") an adult individual
residing at 422 North Front Street, Wormleysburg, Cumberland County,
Pennsylvania.
2. Defendant One is Greg Evans (hereinafter "Evans"), an adult married
individual currently residing at 457 Texter Mountain Road, Robesonia,
Berks County, Pennsylvania.
3. Defendant Two is Renee M. Rhoads Evans, formerly Renee M. Rhoads
(hereinafter "Renee"), an adult married individual currently residing at 710
N. Highlands Drive, Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.
I. FACTS
4. On November 9, 2005, Shearer purchased a 2003 BMW X-5 (hereinafter
"BMW").
5. Although Shearer paid the full $39,000 purchase price for the vehicle, in
contemplation of marriage to Renee, he titled the BMW jointly with her.
6. Shearer also purchased furniture (hereinafter "Furniture") at an
approximate cost of$3,000, which Renee was to store at her home in
contemplation of marriage.
7. Both Defendants were aware that between November 9, 2005 and
February 16, 2011, Shearer was in constant and exclusive control and
sole possession of the BMW, its title and all its keys, and he was the only
person who used and possessed the vehicle.
8. Shearer was also the only person who insured the vehicle from its date of
purchase until after February 16, 2011, when Defendants secured
insurance.
9. At no time did Renee or Evans contribute anything to the purchase price,
the regular maintenance or other expenses associated with the BMW.
10. On or about June 2008, Renee ended the engagement prior to any
marriage taking place.
11. It is believed that thereafter, Renee moved the Furniture to Evans' home
in Berks County, despite both Defendants knowing that Renee was given
the Furniture to store, contingent on marriage to Shearer, and that she
had no right to use and possess the items.
2
12. After many requests for the return of the Furniture and his engagement
ring, and for Renee to sign over to Shearer the BMW title, Shearer filed a
civil action on July 15, 2010 in the Court of Common Pleas of Dauphin
County to Docket No. 2010 CV 9299.
13. Through February 16, 2011, Shearer utilized the BMW as a mobile office
to conduct his occupation as a certified real estate appraisal expert and
for business travel.
14. In mid February 2011, Renee and Evans represented to a BMW dealer
that she was the titled owner of the subject BMW, had lost her keys, and
requested a duplicate set.
15. It is believed and therefore averred that Renee took part in this charade
by virtue of duress and coercion exercised by Evans.
16. Evans paid for and immediately took personal, exclusive possession of
the duplicate set of keys.
17. On the evening of February 16, 2011, Shearer parked the BMW around
the Wormleysburg Borough Hall in Wormleysburg, Cumberland County,
Pennsylvania to attend a Borough meeting.
18. In the dark of night on February 16, 2011, without Shearer's consent and
after stalking Shearer, Evans used the duplicate keys to unlock, take
possession of, and drive the BMW to his Berks County residence with all
of the personal property contained therein, including confidential files
belonging to third parties, personal business documents, maps and data
for ongoing appraisal studies, as well as analyses for current clients.
3
19. This Court has jurisdiction, as the BMW and personal property were
furtively taken from Cumberland County and driven to Evans' home in
Berks County.
20. This action was intended to and did deprive Shearer of the use and
enjoyment of his vehicle, and its contents, including his work product for
clients.
21. Both Defendants understood at all times that they had no possessory or
ownership right to the BMW, its contents, or the Furniture.
22. Solely as a result of a police demand, some of the personal property was
returned to Shearer weeks later, but the business, financial and appraisal
records, documents, studies and work product analyses were never
returned, and Shearer had to hurriedly re-gather the missing information
and spend some fourteen (14) hours again analyzing, formulating an
opinion, and writing a report on each of the upcoming projects.
23. Despite Evans having his own vehicle and no need for the BMW, he
willfully, wantonly and recklessly operated it, contrary to Renee's repeated
instructions, protestations and warnings against doing so.
24. Evans drove it through muddy farmers' fields and other rough terrain,
where it was scratched, dented, stained and muddied.
25. Evans also intentionally placed his large dogs in the BMW, where they
urinated in and otherwise damaged the interior.
26. When Evans recklessly drove the vehicle over a high curb, the metal
transmission fluid cover of the BMW was damaged and torn, causing a
loss of all transmission fluid and disabling the vehicle.
4
27. After attempting to hide the transmission damage, Evans was forced to
have the vehicle towed to have a cheap patch job performed on the
transmission cover, contrary to manufacturer recommendations and good
and workmanlike standards, including the use of improper, cheaper
transmission fluid.
28. Despite demand, Evans refused to return the BMW or the missing
business records, which were located in the vehicle when he removed it.
29. In addition, during a marital disagreement, it is believed that Evans bodily
picked up Renee in a fit of anger and threw her on top of the glass
cocktail table purchased by Shearer (an item of Furniture), totally
destroying the table.
30. Evans also placed his dogs on the couch and chairs of Furniture, where
they urinated, chewed, and otherwise caused damage.
31. It is believed and therefore averred that despite demand, Renee, under
the coercive, violent and controlling influence of Evans, was unable to
return the diamond engagement ring, the BMW, the missing personal
property, or the Furniture.
32. On March 24, 2011, Shearer filed a Complaint in Replevin and a Motion
for Writ of Seizure against Defendants to C.C.P. Docket # 11-3234, the
allegations of which are incorporated herein by reference thereto.
33. As a result, on May 10, 2011, this Court issued an Order on the Writ of
Seizure, a copy of which is made a part hereof as Exhibit "A".
5
34. The BMW and diamond ring were returned to Shearer by Renee on May
10, 2011, but the transmission was damaged and could not be placed in
reverse gear.
35. It was eventually determined that the transmission cover damage resulted
in irreversible damage to the transmission, requiring its complete
replacement.
36. Although the insurance carriers for the parties each agreed to pay half of
the costs of transmission replacement, subject to Shearer's $500
deductible, Evans refused to authorize Donegal Insurance, his company,
to pay its share of the claim, which led to the vehicle remaining in an
unusable state with its transmission lying outside the car until December
2012, when Donegal Insurance, on advice of counsel, finally elected to
pay its share of the claim without Evans' agreement.
37. At all times, Renee and Shearer agreed to the settlement between the two
insurance carriers and the documents requested by Donegal.
38. It is believed and therefore averred that Evans intentionally delayed
settlement by being unresponsive to his insurance carrier.
39. Evans continued to prevent Shearer from regaining use of his vehicle in
an attempt to leverage this "chip" into a complete settlement of all the
harm he had done to Shearer.
40. From February 16, 2011 to December 17, 2012, a period of twenty-two
(22) months, Shearer did not have use of his vehicle because of the
6
actions and damages initiated by Evans and the latter's refusal to
authorize his insurer to settle.
41. On June 28, 2012, Shearer filed a Motion for Contempt of this Court's
Order of May 10, 2011, and a hearing was held on September 25, 2012
before the Honorable M.L. Ebert, Jr.
42. At the hearing, the parties jointly advised the Court that the issue of cost
of repairs of the BMW had been settled, with Evans paying $500 to
Shearer and Shearer receiving the balance of the repair costs from
Donegal (Evans' carrier) and PA National Insurance (Shearer's
insurance).
43. All other issues between the parties remained unresolved.
44. Thus, the contempt court did not consider cost of repairs or other
damages, aside from missing music compact discs.
45. After the Court issued its decision, finding Evans in contempt, Evans
refused to pay the $500 to Shearer.
46. The BMW had been towed from Sun Motors to Emory Transmission and
Total Car Care Center (hereinafter "Emory") at the request of Donegal,
acting on the part of Evans, its policy holder, to determine the validity of
Shearer's damage claim.
47. The claim was found to be meritorious by Donegal, and the vehicle
remained with Emory to do the repairs, as it appeared the matter of
repairs would be promptly settled upon receipt by Donegal of Evans'
written authorization.
7
48. As previously stated, Evans refused to authorize repairs and release
Donegal, leaving a bill from Emory for towing and storage in the amount of
$11,036 accrued and owing through December 17, 2012.
II. CONVERSION
49. Paragraphs One through Forty-Nine are incorporated herein by reference
thereto.
50. The value of the use of the subject BMW is $350 monthly; thus, over the
twenty-two months he has been deprived of use, Shearer has been
damaged in the amount of$7,700.
51. In addition, the BMW has sustained significant depreciation from February
16, 2011 to December 17, 2012, which is $2,975, based on NADA values.
52. Since February 16, 2011, Shearer continued insurance coverage on the
BMW, a vehicle he did not possess and could not use, as queries to
counsel for Defendants concerning their having insurance on the BMW
was never answered, despite repeated requests, resulting in an additional
expense through December 17, 2012 of$1,074.
53. As a result of business files being withheld, Plaintiff had to expend
fourteen (14) hours in gathering and re-analyzing the missing information,
and redrafting reports, resulting in lost billing time at $200 per hour, for a
loss of$2,800.
54. Shearer has expended $15,240 in legal fees in fighting for the return of
his property in the Replevin action, docketed to CCP No. 11-3234, the
8
Writ of Seizure Motion, and in follow-up to intentional damage and
unauthorized use of his vehicle.
55. Shearer has incurred storage charges for 454 days through December 17,
2012 with Emory at the rate of$24.00 per day ($10,896).
56. These storage fees would never have been incurred had Evans
cooperated with his insurance carrier's request for written authorization to
pay the claim, as Evans admittedly damaged the vehicle.
57. On February 16, 2011, when Evans took the BMW, Shearer was the real
owner, entitled to immediate possession.
58. It is believed and therefore averred that Evans deprived Shearer of his
use and enjoyment of the BMW intentionally, removing it only for
vindictive and malicious purposes to cause Shearer distress, anguish, and
the loss of his mobile office, giving Evans a "bargaining chip" to compel
Shearer to make concessions in the pending Dauphin County Replevin
suit.
59. Renee has conceded that the BMW belonged solely to Shearer,
notwithstanding attempts by her attorney, acting solely on the instruction
of Evans, to seek large sums of money for the return of the vehicle and
settlement of the Dauphin County law suit.
60. It is believed and therefore averred that Evans has destroyed all missing
records and intentionally caused all damages to existing property.
61. By reason of the conversion of Shearer's BMW, Shearer has incurred and
should be awarded costs, expenses, and reasonable attorney's fees of
9
$15,240 in pursuing the earlier replevin and this conversion action to
make him whole.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff demands the following sums:
a. Loss of use of his vehicle for twenty-two,months totaling $7,700;
b. Depreciation of his vehicle in the amount of$2,975;
C. $500 to reimburse Plaintiff's insurance deductible for repairs to the
BMW agreed by Evans on the record at the contempt hearing;
d. Storage fees of$10,896;
e. Shearer's Insurance payments during time Evans possessed or
kept the BMW from Shearer's use totaled $1,074;
f. Loss of business files and time spent to reproduce documentation,
analysis and reports - $2,800;
g. Attorney fees in the amount of$15,240;
h. Destruction of furniture totaling $3,000; and,
i. Any other and further damages and relief this Court deems
appropriate.
PUNITIVE DAMAGES
62. Paragraphs One through Sixty-One are incorporated herein by reference
thereto.
63. As a direct and proximate result of Evans' willful and unlawful acts,
resulting in significant property damage, destruction and loss, the
invasion of Shearer's rights, and the conversion of his automobile and
personal property, Shearer is entitled to recover from Evans significant
punitive damages.
10
64. The Court's Order of May 10, 2011 (wherein the vehicle was to be
returned to Shearer with all duplicate keys Defendants possessed and no
damage to the vehicle, including personal property) was determined in
favor of Shearer, and Evans was found in Contempt of Court, a finding
also that Evans committed perjury by denying that he had any compact
discs.
65. As a direct and proximate result of Defendants' wilful and unlawful acts,
invasion of Plaintiff's rights, and conversion of his automobile and
personal property, Plaintiff is entitled to recover from Evans punitive
damages.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff respectfully requests that this Court award him punitive
damages in an amount in excess of the jurisdictional limit requiring arbitration with costs
and interest from the date of judgment.
PURCELL, R & HA LER
BY:
w d B. uire
Att ney ID: 16826
1719 North Front Street
Harrisburg, PA 17102
Phone: (717) 234-4178
Date:
Attorney for Plaintiff
�- 10 ��U ) ?J
11
DON PAUL SHEARER, IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
Plaintiff CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
V.
NO. 11-3234 Civil Term
RENEE M. RHOADS EVANS,
formerly RENEE M. RHOADS, and
GREG EVANS,
Defendants CIVIL ACTION - LAW
ORDER
AND NOW, this A941day of after hearing, the following relief is
granted to Plaintiff:
I Defendants are directed to bring the 2003 BMW X-5, the subject of this
case to a parking area in front of or immediately surrounding the
Wormleysburg Borough Hall at 20 Market Street, Wormleysburg,
Pennsylvania on or before— May it 2011.
2. Defendants will turn over all keys they possess for the vehicle to Plaintiff
or his counsel.
3. Plaintiff will have a period of three (3) business days from his receipt of
the said vehicle to have it inspected by a BMW franchise dealer to ensure
that there has been no damage to the vehicle.
4. Defendants shaft turn over all personal property claimed by Plaintiff to
have been within the subject vehicle on February 16, 2011, including all
client and other business files of Plaintiff and all Compact discs generally
identified by Plaintiff and not returned by Defendants. Should all compact
'discs not be returned to Plaintiff, Defendants will pay to Plaintiff the sum
of$10 for each missing compact disc.
5. Any other relief this Court may deem appropriate.
BY THE COURT: EXHIBIT
kt
s
TRUE COPY FROM RECORD A
In Testimony whereof.I here unto set my hand
and the seat of said Court at Carlisle,Pa- �. &.
This day of loor
Cl ProthonotafY
Distribution V
Howard B. Krug, Esquire, 1719 N. Front Street, Harrisburg, PA 17102 (fax., 234-0409)
Peter M. Good, Esquire, 4431 N. Front St., Harrisburg, PA 17110 (fax: 234-3611)
Court Administrator
VERIFICATION
I, DON PAUL SHEARER, hereby verify that the facts contained in the
foregoing are true and
correct to the best of my knowledge, information and belief.
I understand that false statements made herein are subject to the penalties of
18 Pa. C.S. Section 4904, relating to unsworn falsification to authorities.
DON PAUL SHEARER
Date: S� lS 13Db
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I, Angela S. Shaffer, employee for the law firm of Purcell, Krug & Haller, counsel
for Plaintiff hereby certify that service of the foregoing COMPLAINT was made on the
following via first class, regular mail, on May 1!5-, 2013:
A.
Greg Evans
457 Texter Mountain Road
Robesonia, PA 19551
Defendant
and
Renee M. Rhoads Evans
f/k/a Renee M. Rhoads
710 N. Highlands Drive
Harrisburg, PA 17111
Angel O. Shaffer
_r
FAFILES\Clients\14854 Evans\]4854.1.po.wpd ` ' 1 ! �� ,� ,r ,
David A. Fitzsimons, Esquire it j,.>,
Katie J. Maxwell, Esquire 203 JUN -4 AM 9: 53
I.D. Nos. 41722 and 206018
MARTSON LAW OFFICES PENNSYLVANIA "
Ten East High Street � �
Carlisle, PA 17013
(717) 243-3341
Attorneys for Defendant Greg Evans
DON PAUL SHEARER, : IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
Plaintiff : CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
V. : No. 13-660 CIVIL TERM
GREG EVANS and
RENEE M. RHOADS EVANS, formerly
RENEE M. RHOADS, and
Defendants
PRELIMINARY OBJECTIONS OF DEFENDANT GREG EVANS
TO PLAINTIFF'S COMPLAINT
TO: Don Paul Shearer, Plaintiff, and Howard B. Krug, Esquire, Plaintiffs Counsel
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED TO FILE A WRITTEN RESPONSE TO THIS
DOCUMENT WITHIN TWENTY(20)DAYS OF SERVICE THEREOF OR A JUDGMENT
MAY BE ENTERED AGAINST YOU.
AND NOW, comes the Defendant, Greg Evans,by and through his attorneys, MARTSON
LAW OFFICES, and hereby submits as follows:
1. On or about May 15, 2013,Plaintiff filed a Complaint in the Cumberland County
Court of Common Pleas.
2. Plaintiffs Civil Complaint should be dismissed with prejudice pursuant to
Pennsylvania Rule of Civil Procedure 1028,for legal insufficiency of the pleading and the inclusion
of scandalous or impertinent matter.
MOTION TO STRIKE FOR INCLUSION OF
SCANDALOUS OR IMPERTINENT MATTER
PURSUANT TO Pa. R.C.P. 1028(a)(2)
3. The averments of the preceding paragraphs are incorporated by reference as if fully
set forth herein.
4. Plaintiff s Complaint contains numerous allegations against Defendant Evans that are
immaterial and inappropriate to the cause of action pled by the Plaintiff.
5. Plaintiff's Complaint at Paragraphs 18,20, 23, 24, 25,27, 29, 31, 38, 39, 58, 60, 63,
64, and 65 contain allegations which are scandalous and impertinent and which fail to be supported
by any allegations establishing any factual basis for their inclusion within the Complaint or their
relevance to Plaintiff's action for conversion, and the allegations should therefore be stricken.
WHEREFORE,Defendant Greg Evans respectfully requests that this Honorable Court strike
Plaintiff's Complaint for the inclusion of scandalous and impertinent matters pursuant to Pa.R.C.P.
1028(a)(2).
MOTION TO STRIKE FOR LEGAL INSUFFICIENCY
(DEMURRER) PURSUANT TO Pa. R.C.P. 1028(a)(4)
6. The averments of the preceding paragraphs are incorporated by reference as if fully
set forth herein.
7. The definition of conversion under Pennsylvania law is"the deprivation of another's
right of property in or use or possession of,a chattel without the owner's consent and without lawful
justification." Paves v.Corson, 765 A.2d 1128, 1134 (Pa. Super. Ct. 2000).
8. Paragraph 5 of Plaintiff's Complaint indicates that co-defendant Renee Rhoads Evans
was a titled owner of the vehicle in question.
9. Again at Paragraph 14 of Plaintiff's Complaint,Plaintiff alleges that it was Defendant
Renee Rhoads Evans who requested a duplicate key from the BMW dealership,which permitted her
to access the vehicle and remove it from Plaintiff's possession.
10. Defendant Evans was permitted to use the vehicle by co-owner, Defendant Renee
Rhodes Evans.
11. Plaintiff's claim for conversion fails to provide the necessary allegation to sustain a
cause of action for conversion.
WHEREFORE,Defendant Greg Evans respectfully requests that this Honorable Court strike
Plaintiff's Complaint for legal insufficiency (demurrer) pursuant to Pa. R.C.P. 1029(a)(4).
MARTSON LAW OFFICES
By: &2a4
David A. i imons, Esquire
I.D. No. 722
Katie J. Maxwell, Esquire
I.D. No. 206018
10 East High Street
Carlisle, PA 17013
(717) 243-3341
Date: /2� Attorneys for Defendant Greg Evans
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I, Mary M. Price, an authorized agent of MARTSON DEARDORFF WILLIAMS OTTO
GILROY&FALLER,hereby certify that a copy of the foregoing Answer to Motion for Contempt
was served this date by depositing same in the Post Office at Carlisle, PA, first class mail, postage
prepaid, addressed as follows:
Howard B. Krug, Esquire
PURCELL, KRUG & HALLER
1719 North Front Street
Harrisburg, PA 17102
Renee M: Rhoads Evans
f/k/a Renee M. Rhoads
710 North Highlands Drive
Harrisburg, PA 17111
MARTSON LAW OFFICES
By: 4-4tM) A p
a M. Price
10 Vast High Street
Carlisle, PA 17013
(717) 243-3341
Dated:
PRAECIPE FOR LISTING CASE FOR ARGUMENT
C
(Must be typewritten and submitted in triplicate) �7 w ri
may.
TO THE PROTHONOTARY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY: (List the within matter fo�ne i-,,
}a
Argument Court.) -------------cn August 9, 2013
---------------------- g ---------------------------------------- '
CAPTION OF CASE
(entire caption must be stated in full) C7
�a N �•
DON PAUL SHEARER,
Plaintiff -4 ON
vs.
GREG EVANS AND RENEE M. RHOADS EVANS, formerly RENEE M. RHOADS
Defendants
No. Ci vi 1 Term
1. State matter to be argued (i.e., plaintiffs motion for new trial, defendant's demurrer to
complaint, etc.):
Preliminary Objp-Qions
2. Identify all counsel who will argue cases:
(a) for plaintiffs:
Howard B. Krug
(Name and Address)
1719 N. Front Street, Harrisburg, PA 17102
(b) for defendants:
David A. Fitzsimons and Katie J. Maxwell
(Name and Address)
10 East High Street, Carlisle, PA 17013
3. 1 will notify all parties in writing within two days that this case has been listed for
argument.
4. Argument Court Date:
August 9, 2013
Sign re
Howard B. Krug
Print your name
Attorney for 'plaintiff
Date: June 25, 2013
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Original and two copies of all briefs must be filed with the COURT
ADMINISTRATOR(not the Prothonotary) before argument.
2.The moving party shall file and serve their brief 14 days prior to argument.
3.The responding party shall file their brief 7 days prior to argument.
4. If argument is continued new briefs must be filed with the COURT
ADMINISTRATOR(not the Prothonotary)after the case is relisted.
OLVo s
cQ ga3SI
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I, Carol A. Masich, Legal Assistant, hereby certify that a true and correct copy of the
foregoing document was served upon the Defendants, by sending a copy of the same via first class
U.S.-Mail to:
Katie M. Maxwell, Esquire
Martson Law Offices
10 East High Street
Carlisle, PA 17013
Renee M. Rhoads Evans
710 North Highlands Drive
Harrisburg, PA 17111
Carol A. Masich, Lega Assistant
Purcell, Krug & Haller
1719 North Front Street
Harrisburg, PA 17102
(717) 234-4178
DATE:
DON PAUL SHEARER, IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
PLAINTIFF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
V.
GREG EVANS, AND
RENEE M. RHOADS EVANS,
Formerly RENEE M. RHOADS NO. 13-660 CIVIL
IN RE: DEFENDANT GREG EVANS' PRELIMINARY OBJECTIONS
BEFORE GUIDO, J., EBERT, J. AND PECK, J.
ORDER OF COURT
AND NOW, this 23rd day of August, 2013, upon consideration of Defendant Greg
Evans' Preliminary Objections to the Plaintiffs Complaint, the briefs filed by the parties
in support of their respective positions and after argument;
IT IS HEREBY ORDERED AND DIRECTED that the Defendant, Greg Evans'
Preliminary Objections are OVERRULED. Defendants are directed to file an Answer to
the Plaintiff's Complaint within 20 days of the date of this Order.
By the Court,
M. L. Ebert, Jr., J.
,,-'Howard B. Krug, Esquire
Attorney for Plaintiff
C-)
C=
avid Fitzsimons, Esquire Z
mca M-
Katie Maxwell, Esquire =M C= F—
Attorney for Defendants
c--
0
bas
>C:
FAFILES\Clients\14854 Evans\14854.Lans,13.660.wpd
David A. Fitzsimons, Esquire _
Katie J. Maxwell, Esquire r n CD
I.D. Nos. 41722 and 206018 ; -`
MARTSON LAW OFFICES
Ten East High Street a
Carlisle, PA 17013S ;Z r." 1
(717) 243-3341 NJ ca r
Attorneys for Defendant Greg Evans
c-,,
..
DON PAUL SHEARER, : IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS OF
Plaintiff : CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
V. : No. 13-660 CIVIL TERM
GREG EVANS and
RENEE M. RHOADS EVANS, formerly
RENEE M. RHOADS, and
Defendants
ANSWER TO PLAINTIFF'S COMPLAINT
AND NEW MATTER
TO: DON PAUL SHEARER, Plaintiff, and his attorney, HOWARD B. KRUG, ESQUIRE and
RENEE M. RHOADS, DEFENDANT
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED TO FILE A WRITTEN RESPONSE TO THE ENCLOSED
NEW MATTER AND CROSS CLAIM WITHIN TWENTY (20) DAYS FROM SERVICE
HEREOF OR A JUDGMENT MAY BE ENTERED AGAINST YOU.
AND now, comes the Defendant, Greg Evans, by and through his attorneys, MARTSON
LAW OFFICES, and in support of his Answer to Plaintiff s Complaint avers as follows:
1. Denied. Defendant is without sufficient information to admit or deny the averments
of this paragraph.
2. Admitted in part and denied in part. It is admitted that the residence address for
Answering Defendant Evans is correct. He is, however a single individual as of this writing.
3. Denied. Defendant is without sufficient information to admit or deny the averments
of this paragraph.
I. FACTS
4. Denied. Answering Defendant Evans is without sufficient information to admit or
deny the averments of this paragraph.
5-8. Denied. Answering Defendant Evans is without sufficient information to admit or
deny the averments of this paragraph.
9. Admitted in part and denied in part. It is admitted that Evans did not contribute to
the purchase price of the BMW. It is denied to the extent that Evans did not share in maintenance
expenses or insurance expenses associated with the BMW once it was in his and his then-wife's
possession as he added the vehicle to his Donegal insurance policy.
10. Denied. Answering Defendant Evans is without sufficient information to admit or
deny the averments of this paragraph.
11. Denied as stated. Answering Defendant Evans is without sufficient information to
admit or deny the averments of this paragraph with respect to Defendant Renee Rhoads Evans' state
of mind. It is further denied that Answering Defendant Evans knew Plaintiff's expectations with
respect to the furniture Defendant Renee Rhoads Evans brought to her new marital home. Defendant
Renee Rhoads Evans never mentioned it was Plaintiff's furniture.
12-13. Denied. Defendant is without sufficient information to admit or deny the averments
of this paragraph.
14. Denied as stated. Defendant Renee Rhoads was in fact a titled owner of the subject
BMW, and it was Defendant Renee Rhoads Evans who represented that information to a BMW
dealer in order to get a duplicate key; Answering Defendant Evans never represented that he was a
titled owner of the vehicle.
15. Denied. The averment of Paragraph 15 constitutes a conclusion of law to which no
response is required by the Pa.R.C.P. However,to the extent that a response is required,Answering
Defendant Evans never coerced or caused the distress of Defendant Renee Rhoads Evans.
16. Denied. To the extent that a response is required, Answering Defendant Evans and
Defendant Renee Rhoads Evans both had possession of the BMW and of the duplicate set of keys.
17. Admitted.
18. Denied as stated. Answering Defendant Evans was driven by his wife at the time,
Defendant Renee Rhoads Evans, to places Plaintiff had been known to frequent and she
inadvertently tried to turn around and saw Plaintiff's care. Answering Defendant Evans, with the
consent of his wife, drove the subject BMW to their residence in Berks County; the remaining
averments of this paragraph are denied.
19. Denied. The averment of Paragraph 19 constitutes a conclusion of law to which no
response is required by the Pa. R.C.P. To the extent that a response is required, it is denied that any
actions undertaken by either Defendant were "furtive." It is not disputed that this Court has
jurisdiction of the action.
20. Denied as a conclusion of law to which no response is required.
21. Denied. The averment of Paragraph 21 constitutes a conclusion of law to which no
response is required by the Pa. R.C.P. To the extent that an Answer is required, Defendant Renee
Rhoads Evans was a titled owner to the BMW and consequently, had an absolute right to possess
the BMW. Moreover, upon information and belief, Renee M. Rhoads Evans repeatedly asked
Shearer to remove her name from the title to no avail.
22. Denied. It is specifically denied that solely as a result of police demand that limited
personal property was returned to Shearer. On the contrary, all of the contents of the vehicle were
returned through an exchange by Answering Defendant's legal counsel at the time, Peter Good,
Esquire, to counsel for Plaintiff.
23. Denied as a conclusion of law to which no response is required. To the extent that a
response is required, it is specifically denied that Defendant Renee Rhoads Evans repeatedly
instructed,protested and warned Evans against using the vehicle. In fact,Defendant Renee Rhoads
Evans drove the car frequently.
24. Denied as stated. It is admitted that Answering Defendant Evans drove the BMW,
but denied to the extent that he caused the vehicle to be scratched,dented,stained or muddied. There
was a small hole in the transmission pan which occurred at night when Answering Defendant Evans
took Defendant Renee Rhoads Evans to the Emergency Room at St. Joseph's Hospital and parked
across the street at the Reading Airport restaurant.
25. Denied. It is denied that Answering Defendant Evans' dogs were in the BMW and
caused damage to the interior of the vehicle. It is believed that Plaintiff's dog caused the damage to
the BMW.
26. The averment of Paragraph 26 constitutes a conclusion of law to which no response
is required by the Pa. R.C.P. To the extent that a response is required, it is denied that Evans was
reckless in driving the vehicle over a high curb;however,it is admitted that the vehicle was damaged
while Evans was driving it.
27. Denied as stated. Answering Defendant Evans had the vehicle repaired. Upon
observing the transmission fluid leak, Plaintiff's car was parked and towed. Answering Defendant
Evans had the transmission pan repaired by a state licensed mechanic with 25 years experience who
used the type of fluid he deemed appropriate The remaining allegations in this paragraph are legal
conclusions to which no response is required.
28. Denied. Answering Defendant Evans arranged for all of Plaintiff's personal property
from the BMW to be returned to him through an arrangement between the parties' counsel.
29. Denied. The averment of Paragraph 29.constitutes a conclusion of law to which no
response is required by the Pa. R.C.P. To the extent that a response is required, it is denied that
Plaintiff maintained any ownership interest in the furniture which he had given to Defendant Renee
Rhoads Evans when she was his fiancee. The remainder of Paragraph 29 is denied as scandalous
and impertinent matter to which no response is required by the Pa. R.C.P.
30. Denied. The averment of Paragraph 30 constitutes a conclusion of law to which no
response is required by the Pa.R.C.P.To the extent that a response is required,it is assumed that the
furniture in question is furniture that was Evans' home which he shared as a marital residence with
his wife at the time, Defendant Renee Rhoads Evans. Therefore, any concern alleged in this
Paragraph regarding damage to said furniture is irrelevant and not the business of Plaintiff.
Moreover, any inference that Evans"placed"dogs on furniture in order to "damage"is specifically
denied. The dogs are housebroken and do not defecate or urinate on furniture.
31. Denied. The averment of Paragraph 31 constitutes a conclusion of law to which no
response is required by the Pa. R.C.P. By way of further answer, Defendant Renee Rhoads Evans
told Answering Defendant Evans that the ring and furniture belonged to her.
32. Admitted.
33. Denied. Exhibit "A" is a document which speaks for itself to which no further
response is required.
34. Admitted upon information and belief. The car was returned against Answering
Defendant Evans' request it not be driven. The resulting damage occurred on the drive from Berks
to return the car to Plaintiff. Answering Defendant Evans repeatedly told Defendant Renee Rhoads
Evans not to drive the car in the present condition. At that point in time,the transmission had minor
slippage and could have been repaired with minimal maintenance.
35. Denied. Defendant is without sufficient information to admit or deny the averments
of this paragraph.
36. Denied. To the extent that an answer is required,both parties had previously agreed
to their respective insurance company's$500 deductible. The agreement broke down when Plaintiff
refused to pay his own deductible and wanted Answering Defendant Evans to pay the $500 on
Plaintiff's behalf.
37. Denied. It is denied that Plaintiff agreed to the settlement between the two carriers.
On the contrary,Answering Defendant's carrier, Donegal,was at all times willing and authorize to
enter into settlement and a timely settlement was prevented when Plaintiff, upon information and
belief, refused to agree to completion of the settlement along the terms that had originally been
agreed to by the parties. All multiple offers of settlement were refused by Plaintiff.
38. Denied. Answering Defendant Evans did not intentionally delay any settlement
between the parties. Answering Defendant Evans was in communication with his insurance
company and counsel trying to settle the matter. By way of further response,settlement negotiations
dissolved when Plaintiff indicated that he would be pursuing the instant litigation.
39. Denied. The averment of Paragraph 39 constitutes a conclusion of law to which no
response is required by the Pa. R.C.P. Answering Defendant Evans denies causing any harm to
Plaintiff and requests strict proof at trial. By way of further response upon information and belief,
Plaintiff engaged in a long series of harassing treatment of Defendant Renee Rhoads Evans, at the
time the wife of Answering Defendant, and continued to exploit the situation to his own benefit.
40. Denied. To the extent that a response is required, if Plaintiff had mitigated his
damages by paying to have the vehicle repaired, he would have had access to the BMW the entire
22 month period he claims that he was without its use. By way of further response throughout the
relevant time period upon information and belief, Plaintiff continued to maintain Defendant Renee
Rhoads Evans as a joint owner of the vehicle throughout that time frame relevant to his alleged
inability to use the vehicle. Moreover, upon information and belief, at no time in the relevant time
period was Plaintiff ever without transportation or transportation alternatives.
41. Admitted.
42. Admitted.
43. Denied. The averment of Paragraph 43 constitutes a conclusion of law to which no
response is required by the Pa. R.C.P. To the extent that a response is required, upon resolution of
the settlement of the damage to the vehicle and payment pursuant to Court Order for compact discs
which Answering Defendant believes and avers never were in the vehicle, all matters between the
parties which could and should have been brought at the time in question and the action in question,
are resolved.
44. Denied. The averment of Paragraph 44 constitutes a conclusion of law to which no
response is required by the Pa. R.C.P. To the extent that a response is required, consistent with the
averments of Plaintiff's Complaint Paragraph No. 42, the Court was indeed advised that the issue
of repairs to the BMW had been settled. Upon information and belief, the instant action was only
initiated by Plaintiff upon a suggestion to Plaintiff's counsel by the Honorable M. L. Ebert, Jr.,that
a conversion action might have been appropriate at the time the first action was initiated, upon
information and belief in March 2011,when Answering Defendant was alleged to be improperly in
possession of Plaintiffs property. As is clearly demonstrated and admitted in Plaintiff's instant
Complaint,he has been in possession of his vehicle since before the initiation of the instant action,
therefore, a conversation action is not appropriate.
45. Denied.. The averment of Paragraph 45 constitutes a conclusion of law to which no
response is required by the Pa. R.C.P. To the extent that a response is required, Answering
Defendant did not pay $500 to Plaintiff representing Plaintiffs deductible on his own insurance
coverage for the repairs to the damaged BMW because Plaintiff breached the agreement for a global
settlement on all issues by acting upon the comments by Judge Ebert as a suggestion that the action
was incomplete and he could now proceed for additional damages beyond those he had sought in his
initial action.
46. Denied. After reasonable investigation, Answering Defendant Evans is without
sufficient information to admit or deny the averments of this paragraph.
47. Denied. After reasonable investigation, Answering Defendant Evans is without
sufficient information to admit or deny the averment of this paragraph.
48. Denied. To the extent that a response is required, it is denied that Answering
Defendant Evans refused to authorize repairs, and as is demonstrated by Plaintiff s own pleading,
the vehicle was repaired but only after Plaintiff s delaying tactics in effectuating the repairs ended.
II. CONVERSION
49. The answers to Paragraphs 1-48 are incorporated herein by referenced.
50. Denied as a conclusion of law to which no response is required.
51. Denied. Upon reasonable investigation, Answering Defendant Evans is without
sufficient information to admit or deny the averments of this paragraph.
52. Denied. Upon reasonable investigation, Answering Defendant Evans is without
sufficient information to admit or deny the averments of this paragraph.
53. Denied. Upon reasonable investigation, Answering Defendant Evans is without
sufficient information to admit or deny the averments of this paragraph.To the extent that an answer
is required, Answering Defendant Evans returned all of Plaintiffs personal property that had
previously been in the BMW through an agreement between the parties' counsel.
54. Denied. Upon reasonable investigation,Defendant is without sufficient information
to admit or deny the averments of this paragraph.
55. Denied. Upon reasonable investigation,Defendant is without sufficient information
to admit or deny the averments of this paragraph.
56. Denied. It is specifically denied that Answering Defendant Evans delayed repair of
the vehicle. To the contrary, any delay in the repair of the vehicle is, upon information and belief,
the responsibility of Plaintiff who refused to cooperate with his own insurance carrier and with
Answering Defendant Evans' carrier in coming to an agreement for repair of the vehicle. Moreover,
it is believed and therefore averred that Plaintiff has never paid any storage costs or charges to Sun
Motors for storage of the vehicle.
57. Admitted in part and denied in part. It is admitted that on February 16, 2011, that
Plaintiff was an owner of the BMW. Answering Defendant Evans' wife, Defendant Renee Evans
was also a titled owner of the vehicle at that time, and entitled to immediate possession of the
vehicle.
58. Denied as a conclusion of law to which no response is required.
59. Denied. Upon reasonable investigation, Answering Defendant Evans is without
sufficient information to admit or deny the averments of this paragraph. To the extent that a
response is required,the record of the interaction between the parties during the replevin action will
demonstrate that the legal conclusions and factual allegations of Paragraph 59 are false.
60. Denied. The averment of Paragraph 60 constitutes a conclusion of law to which no
response is required by the Pa. R.C.P. To the extent that a response is required, .Answering
Defendant Evans has previously provided Plaintiff with all personal property previously located in
the subject BMW, and has not destroyed or intentionally damaged Plaintiff's personal property.
61. Denied as a conclusion of law to which no response is required.
WHEREFORE,Defendant Greg Evans respectfully requests this Honorable Court to dismiss
the Plaintiff's Complaint and enter judgment in favor of Defendant Greg Evans.
III. PUNITIVE DAMAGES
62. The answers to Paragraphs 1 through 61 are incorporated herein by reference.
63. Denied as a conclusion of law to which no response is required.
64. Exhibit A is a document which speaks for itself to which no response is required. To
the extent that a response is required, no Court has issued any finding indicating that Answering
Defendant Evans has committed perjury.
65. Denied as a conclusion of law to which no response is required.
WHEREFORE,Defendant Greg Evans respectfully requests this Honorable Court to dismiss
the Plaintiff's Complaint and enter judgment in favor of Defendant Greg Evans.
NEW MATTER
66. The answers to Paragraphs 1 through 65 are incorporated herein by reference.
67. At all times relevant hereto,Defendant Renee Evans was a titled owner of the subject
BMW.
68. Plaintiff received his personal property.
69. Defendant Renee Rhoads Evans was in fact a titled owner of the subject BMW,and
it was Defendant Renee Rhoads Evans who represented that information to a BMW dealer in order
to get a duplicate key; Answering Defendant Evans never represented that he was a titled owner of
the vehicle.
70. Answering Defendant Evans, with the consent of his wife, drove the subject BMW
to his residence in Berks County.
71. Answering Defendant Evans never coerced or caused the distress of Defendant Renee
Evans.
72. Defendant Renee Evans was a titled owner to the BMW and consequently, had an
absolute right to possess the BMW.
73. Upon information and belief, Defendant Renee M. Rhoads Evans repeatedly asked
Plaintiff to remove her name from the title to no avail.
74. All of the contents of the vehicle were returned through an exchange by Answering
Defendant's legal counsel at the time, Peter Good, Esquire, to counsel for Plaintiff.
75. Defendant Renee Rhoads Evans told Answering Defendant Evans that the ring and
furniture belonged to her.
76. Answering Defendant's carrier, Donegal, was at all times willing and authorize to
enter into settlement and a timely settlement was prevented when Plaintiff, upon information and
belief, refused to agree to completion of the settlement along the terms that had originally been
agreed to by the parties. All multiple offers of settlement were refused by Plaintiff.
77. Plaintiff engaged in a long series of harassing treatment of Defendant Renee Rhoads
Evans, at the time the wife of Answering Defendant, and continued to exploit the situation to his
own benefit.
78. Plaintiff continued to maintain Defendant Renee Rhoads Evans as a joint owner of
the vehicle throughout that time frame relevant to his alleged inability to use the vehicle.
79. At no time in the relevant time period was Plaintiff ever without transportation or
transportation alternatives.
80. Plaintiff has been in possession of his vehicle since before the initiation of the instant
action, therefore, a conversation action is not appropriate.
81. Any delay in the repair of the vehicle is, upon information and belief, the
responsibility of Plaintiff who refused to cooperate with his own insurance carrier and with
Answering Defendant Evans' carrier in coming to an agreement for settlement of the vehicle.
82. Plaintiff has never paid any storage costs or charges to Sun Motors for storage of the
vehicle.
83. Answering Defendant Evans' wife,Defendant Renee Evans was also a titled owner
of the vehicle at that time, and entitled to immediate possession of the vehicle.
WHEREFORE,Defendant Greg Evans respectfully requests this Honorable Court to dismiss
the Plaintiffs Complaint and enter judgment in favor of Defendant Greg Evans
NEW MATTER AND CROSS CLAIM DIRECTED AGAINST
DEFENDANT RENEE M. RHOADS EVANS
84. Paragraphs 1 through 83 of this Answer With New Matter Cross Claims are
incorporated herein as fully set forth below.
85. Answering Defendant hereby incorporates the allegations against Defendants Evans
for the sole purpose of its cross claim against Defendant Renee Rhoads Evans and without admitting
any of the averments set forth therein.
86. To the extent that Plaintiff was harmed, said harm and any damages, which is
expressly denied, were caused by the negligence of Defendant Renee Rhoads Evans.
87. Defendant Renee Rhoads Evans is solely, exclusively, and/or contributorily liable to
Plaintiff or,in the alternative,should Answering Defendant be found to be liable to Plaintiff,which
is expressly denied, then Defendant Renee Rhoads Evans is jointly liable and/or liable over to
Answering Defendant by way of contribution and/or indemnification.
WHEREFORE,Defendant Greg Evans respectfully request judgment in his favor and against
Defendant Renee Rhoads Evans together with such other relief as this Court deems appropriate.
AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSES
88. The answers to Paragraphs 1 through 89 are incorporated herein by reference.
89. Plaintiff's Complaint must be dismissed for failure to state a claim upon which relief
can be granted.
90. Plaintiff's Complaint must be dismissed because the defense of accord and
satisfaction which is hereby asserted.
91. Plaintiff's Complaint must be dismissed because of the affirmative defense of
estoppel which is hereby asserted.
92. Plaintiff's Complaint must be dismissed because of the affirmative defense of waiver
which is hereby asserted.
93. Plaintiff's complaint must be dismissed because of the affirmative defense of laches,
which is hereby asserted.
94. Plaintiff's complaint must be dismissed because of the affirmative defense of
payment, which is hereby asserted.
95. Plaintiff's complaint must be dismissed because of the affirmative defense of release,
which is hereby asserted.
96. Plaintiffs complaint must be dismissed because of the affirmative defense of res
judicata, which is hereby asserted.
97. Plaintiff s complaint must be dismissed because of"unclean hands."
WHEREFORE,Defendant Greg Evans respectfully requests this Honorable Court to dismiss
the Plaintiffs Complaint and enter judgment in favor of Defendant Greg Evans.
MARTSON LAW OFFICES
By:
David A. Fitzsimons, Esquire
I.D. No. 41722
Katie J. Maxwell, Esquire
I.D. No. 206018
10 East High Street
Carlisle, PA 17013
(717) 243-3341
Date: September 16, 2013 Attorneys for Defendant Greg Evans
VERIFICATION
I, Gregory C. Evans, hereby verify that I have reviewed the foregoing document and state
that to the extent that the foregoing document contains facts supplied by or known to me, they are
true and correct to the best of my knowledge, information and belief.
I understand that false statements made herein are subject to the penalties of 18 Pa.C.S.A.
§4904, relating to unsworn falsification to authorities.
- La C—g="
regory C. vans
FAFILEST ients\14854 Evans\14854.I.verification.wpd
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I, Tricia D. Eckenroad, an authorized agent of MARTSON DEARDORFF WILLIAMS
OTTO GILROY & FALLER, hereby certify that a copy of the foregoing Answer to Plaintiff's
Complaint and New Matter was served this date by depositing same in the Post Office at Carlisle,
PA, first class mail, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:
Howard B. Krug, Esquire
PURCELL, KRUG & HALLER
1719 North Front Street
Harrisburg, PA 17102
Renee M. Rhoads Evans
f/k/a Renee M. Rhoads
710 North Highlands Drive
Harrisburg, PA 17111
MARTSON LAW OFFICES
y
ricia Eckenroad
10 East High Street
Carlisle, PA 17013
(717) 243-3341
Dated: September 16, 2013
FILED-.C''FF';CL'
Howard B. Krug, Esquire I HE PROTHONCJTAR
PA Supreme Court ID# 16826 �,�
Purcell, Krug & Haller 2813 OCT -7 PM 2: 30
1719 North Front Street CUMBERLAND COUNTY Harrisburg, PA 17102 PENNSYLVANIA
(717) 234-4178
Fax: (717) 234-0409
hkrug@pkh.com
DON PAUL SHEARER, : IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
Plaintiff : CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
vs. : DOCKET NO. 13-660 CIVIL TERM
•
GREG EVANS and RENEE M.
RHOADS EVANS, formerly RENEE M. :
RHOADS,
Defendants : CIVIL ACTION - LAW
RESPONSE TO NEW MATTER
66. Neither admitted nor denied, except as set forth in Plaintiff's Complaint.
67. Admitted, except that it was always understood by Renee Evans that
Plaintiff was the true owner and sole person entitled to possession.
68. Denied, as more fully stated in Plaintiff's Complaint. The Order finding
solely Greg Evans in contempt is based on his failure to return all of
Plaintiff's personal property. The Court could not in the contempt
proceeding consider evidence of Plaintiff's lost work in process or the
hours expended to re-gather background material.
69. Denied as stated. Renee Evans was coerced by Greg Evans to secure
the key to the subject vehicle. It is admitted that Greg Evans was not a
titled owner of the vehicle. The balance of the averment cannot be
answered by Plaintiff in that he was present when Greg Evans operated
the vehicle or authorized repairs of damage he did.
70. Denied. It is believed and therefore averred that Greg Evans coerced
Renee into this misadventure and disregarded her demands to stay away
from the subject BMW. He did not have her consent to drive the vehicle.
71. Denied. Sworn testimony at the contempt hearing confirms the coercion,
abuse, and duress to which Renee Evans was exposed.
72. Denied as a conclusion of law to which no response is required. In any
event, Renee Evans at all times regarded the subject BMW as Plaintiff's
vehicle, and she wanted to be removed from the title.
73. Denied as stated. Prior counsel for Defendants always demanded half
the value of the BMW before Renee would sign over the car title. It is
believed and therefore averred that the said attorney acted solely under
instructions from Greg Evans, and Renee did not seek any sums.
74. Denied. It was made clear to former counsel for Defendants when
Plaintiff's personal property arrived at his office that many items were
missing, and a complete list of missing items was given to former counsel
at the time.
75. Denied. After a reasonable investigation, Plaintiff believes and therefore
avers that Renee Evans wanted to return all such items to Plaintiff.
76. Denied. It is believed and therefore averred that Greg Evans frustrated
his carrier by his refusal to agree to an exchange and release to conclude
the damage claim.
77. Denied. Plaintiff never harassed or otherwise mistreated Renee Evans.
78. Admitted that with Renee's name on the title, Plaintiff had no way of
unilaterally removing her as a joint owner. Peter Good, Esquire,
apparently representing the demands of Greg Evans, rejected turning
over the title to Plaintiff without payment, and there was nothing Plaintiff
could do to remove Renee's name.
79. Denied. Plaintiff had to make many alternative, inconvenient
arrangements, ultimately leading to his being forced to purchase, with
financing, another motor vehicle. The subject BMW was Plaintiff's mobile
office, and its removal caused him great anguish, frustration, and
monetary loss.
80. Denied. Greg Evans took steps prior to the turnover of the subject vehicle
to damage it, ultimately rendering it unusable. He also prevented a
settlement of the vehicle damage sought by his own insurance carrier.
Since the vehicle was not drivable, he could not take possession or use it.
The balance of the allegation is denied as a conclusion of law.
81. Denied. At all times, Plaintiff and Renee Evans cooperated with the
insurance carriers to repair his vehicle and return it to an operable state.
82. Admitted.
83. Denied as a conclusion of law to which no response is required.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff respectfully requests this Honorable Court enter
judgment in favor of Plaintiff.
84. - 87. Neither admitted nor denied, as this claim is not directed against
Plaintiff.
IL
88. - 97. Denied as conclusions of law to which no response is required. In
addition, no facts are stated upon which these affirmative defenses are based;
therefore they should be dismissed.
P∎ T CELL, K" e & HAL -
B
B . djr4V
,
•rney ID: 16826
719 N. Front Street
Harrisburg, PA 17102
(717) 234-4178
Date: / 0-- 03
■
,
VERIFICATION
I, Don Paul Shearer, hereby verify that the facts contained in the foregoing
RESPONSE TO NEW MATTER are true and correct to the best of
my knowledge, information and belief.
I understand that false statements made herein are subject to the penalties of 18
Pa. C.S. Section 4904, relating to unsworn falsification to authorities.
Don Paul Shearer
Date: /L?r`it A0/3
J '
CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE
I, Angela S. Shaffer, employee for the law firm of Purcell, Krug & Haller, counsel
for Plaintiff, Don Paul Shearer, hereby certify that service of the foregoing RESPONSE
TO NEW MATTER was made on the following via regular mail on October Lf , 2013:
David A. Fitzsimons, Esquire
Katie J. Maxwell, Esquire
10 East High Street
Carlisle, PA 17013
Attorney for Defendant, Greg Evans
and
Renee M. Rhoads
710 North Highlands Drive
Harrisburg, PA 17111
Defendant
--$L4
Angel . Shaffer