State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company v. Bowles et al, No. 6:2009cv00044 - Document 45 (W.D. Va. 2011)

Court Description: MEMORANDUM OPINION. Signed by Judge Norman K. Moon on August 12, 2011. (jcf)

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j ( LERK' OFFI U.s. sk copr' S CE Dl ; * A L N H U G v ,..J N T Y FIB R Ã .., G ., LED . I THE UNI STATESDI TRI COURT N TED S CT FoR THE W ESTERN D I STRI OF V I NI CT RGI A LYNCHBURG DI SON VII A% j2 g j gj J ( 'x u t yuj ,) : '%.u z . . .. . 8 . .. . i 1.. cÅ ax oy N .. r . . STATE FARM M UTUAL AUTOMOBI LE I URANCE COMPANY NS 'i Lr uu ak gt : : ; ( .. . . E . . .x - CI L ACTI N O.6: CV- 4 VI ON 09- Pl nt ai ff M EMORANDUM OPI ON NI V. JUDGEN ORMAN K .M OON DEBORAH BOW LES,etal . Dee s f ndant. : Pe ngbeor t c taet pates co smoi f s ndi f e he our r he ri ' r s- tons or ummayj r udg e un rRul nt de e i : 56, i teatr tve,f udg n u rRul 5 (oc tnos 29a 31.Dee da or n h lenai orj me t nde e 2 d ke . nd ) n nt : De a Bowl (tlborh' i t pli ifi asaec to ts ta ii ou o asnglborh es El a ' s he antf n tt ourtr ui rsng t le ) i e i ve cea omobiea i n i whi s eale st tDee da sDa r lCray S e s 'a hil ut l ccde t n ch h lge ha fn nt rel e s t a y' nd cr ) Do ga Fi h(Fi h' rc lsl o n gie tyc u e h rij l .l t i a to ,h p ris u ls t Ã» t ' e ke sy r e l nl a sd e nu' n hs ci t e at c Ã» c ) g y e ; s e ade aaor j e k clrt y udgme whehe De rhi e tte t c rgeund rc ti prvii o nt t r boa s nild o ovea e era o sons f l an i ur ns ancepolcy i ued by Pl ntf St e Far M ut A ut obie l ur i ss ai if at m ual om l ns ance ompany j (d aeFa n' t De a smot r Vigi aM . ylr(t r ni '.As1fndta Deb a d t n' ' o borh' he, r ni Ta o d gi a' st ) vi ) i t orh was notcover lw ilgr St e Far ' m oton pur uantt Rul 52,de D eb r sm oton, ed, l ant at m s i s o e ny ah' i a e e ade art yj dgme i fvorofSt eFam. nd ntr cl aor u ntn a at r . 1 . The acci gi ng r s t t underyi t 4 s toccur ed on Jul 25, 20 8,i dent vi i e o he l ng ol ui r y n I Cam pbel Count V igi a. Folow i t acci , D ebor ser pr son t e Far l y, r ni l ng he dent ah ved oces at m purua t Vigi aCodej 38. 220 cami c rgeunde t uni ur d m t it s nt o r ni 2- 6, li ng ovea r he ns e ors j 1 I E I prviinofaStt Fam Pes na AuoPolc @ o.3 71 91 4 )is dt Vigi a(he o so ae r ro l t iy 64 00- 8-61 sue r ni t Ã§ iy'. l r e ntpatt Polc pr d : $ c ' n elva r,he iy ovies Pol ) W e wilpay,i accor l n dancew ih Va.Code Ann.Secton 38. 2206,dam a esw hi an t i 2ch ti ed' oran Ã§i ur s' l r es atve i l l oblgat t r verf om t snsur ' cns ed' ' egal epr ent i s egaly i ed o ec r he owneroroper orofan tuni ur m ot vehi e' oran (underns ed m t vehi e' at s ns ed or cl ' i i ur or cl ' because of: 1 E l ij y's ti db a Ã»ns e 'a c us dbya a i nta . t y nur ' usane y n t urd' nd a e Bodi i n c de ; nd 2. Ã»Pr rt dam age' caus by t acci . d ope y ' ed he dentl Th t r ti ur d' i l sGs ou o a Sa iy m e be .' d m iy m e b ' i de i d a Ã» e e m Ã»ns e ' nc ude i ' r ny f m l m r '' d l m er' Fa fne s Ã» a per on r a ed t you by bl s el t o ood,m ar i oradopton who i a r dentofyourho s d. rage i s esi ehol ' ' $ $ 'm e nst t m e i ur ' o i t sca e V igi a Ta o . You' a he G na d ns ed, r n hi s , r ni yl r ' A. Summayj r udgme i a pr it iShemova ts t tt r i nog nui diput nts p oprae fs t n hows ha hee s ne s e a t a maeilfc a t mova i e ttedt j men asamatroflw. Fe R. v. s o ny tra a t nd he nts nil o udg t te a ' d. Ci P. ' 56a.l e l tngas () n vauai ummayj me moi Shec ur mus drw alr s a eifrnc s r udg nt ton,i o t t a leao bl nee e t if n avoroft nonm ovi pary,and i m ay notm ake cr biiy det m i i he ng t t edi lt er natons rw ei t gh he e de e' Re e v Sandes PlmbigPr s,I 530U. l 1 ( 00) Hee vi nc . ev s . ' ron u n od . nc, S. 33, 50 20 . r, ho ve ,hepatesha j nty si ae ( c tno.28 t tt t exe tt r aea we r t ri ve oi l tpultd do ke ) ha o he tn he r ny genui i ues ofm at i f ,t courtm ay r ol s diput by way ofs m al t i ne ss eral act he es ve uch s es u . ral y pur uantt Rul 52,bas on a r d conss i oft pl ngs,adm i ons de osii s o e ed ecor itng he eadi ssi , ton t tm ony,and ot docum ent es i her s. De a b r t bur en ofs i t ts w a a r s de tofV igi a' ho eho d bor h ea s he d how ng ha he s e i n r ni s us l w ihi t m eani oft Polcy,and t ef et s wasentted t cover . See Fur v. t n he ng he i her or hat he il o age row St eFar M utAut I .Co,375 S. 2 738, ( l ) The lw ditnguihe b t e at m . o. ns E.d 740 Va. 989 . a si s s e we n on wh ha Ea s medar sde ean be omes it rwi dwih t gns ed' fm iyast e o s is u e i nc d c o n e t ne t he i ur s a l o ' h p l yas p o d sme ia e p n ebe ei c v r g t a Ã»n u e 'wh s san t odl ij r '' T e o i lo rvie dc l x e s n f s o e a e o n t s r d' o u t i s < i nu y c t i b . 2 E b c meame e o ta fmiy'a do ewh i meeyt vstro sj un ri te eo mb r f h t a l, n n o s rl i ii r oo re n h ' a o gns e s home. St eFa m MutAut I .Co. .Smih l S. 2d56 566 Va 1 ) i urd') ' at r ' . o ns v t, 42 E. 2, . 965 ov ruldonot rgr ndsb Stt Fa m v Jone,383S. 2d73 ( 1 . er e he ou y ae r . s E. 4 Va. 989) W het t t m Shousehol 'ordf iy' i us t t m em br her he er s d' dam l ' s ed, he er acesa c lecton l i o pe s a a s ngl g oup, ih on he d,lvi t t r a u tofpe a nta f r ons s i e r w t e a i ng oge he , ni r ne nd d e tc c r c e , om s i ha a t r unde on r ;a c l c i body ofpe s lvi t e he w ihi r e oof ole tve r ons i ng o t r t n o c tlge s itngi c ne uria , ubssi n ommona dietngt i atni t ac m o obe tt nd rci her te ton o o n j c,he pr oton oft rm ut i er t and s alhappi . om i hei ual nt es s oci ness Smih,l S. 2da 5 n. ( tto omitd) Ã»f ewod ( e d'... on oe astl t 42 E. t 66 6 quoain te .Ã»' r houshol -h c ts eted st us;a mor se ted orper anents at i i cat by tesi oft s ho s d't at e tl m t us s ndi ed r dent he ame ehol han woul be i ca ed by desdentoft s e hous ora t ent''f at565d ndi t r i he am e parm .' J. 66. l det m i ng whet an i vi i ar i oft i ur shous l court i n er ni her ndi dual s esdent he ns ed' eh d, sn Vigi a have l r ni ooked t a num berofnon- s ii f or Thes i ude t e t t w hi o di postve act s. e ncl he ent o ch t cama ( )itndst beapema n r i ntoftehous ol'( h rg lr ves he li nt 1 ne o r ne t esde h eh d, 2) as e a, rus z ertcc ntcswiht houshol ( at lysa a t rsde ce ( manansacos or rai o at t he e d; 3) cual tys t he e i n ; 4) iti l e, sri drltons pwihot rme r oft ho e d;5)pa rn,boad, oh s tane eai hi t he mbes he ushol ( ys e t r o tenvie co rbue t houshol e ns ormaitn ce ()ke pspes nal o rya ter i nc ; nti ts o e d xpe es ne an ; 6 e ro pr pet t h esde e ( rcev s tntal ia t rsde e; d()mant nsar o ot rp i t s ei 7) e ies ubsa i mal t he ei nc an 8 i ai oom r he vae pac n t r dence. See Phel s v.St e Farm M ut Aut I . ,426S. 2d48 ( 1 93)Al tt he esi p at . o.ns Co. E. 4 Va 9 ; l ae s Is Co.v Pate s 34 S. 2 8 8 ( 1 6)Smih,1 S. 2da 5 . ar r n . . tron, 4 E.d 90, 93 Va. 98 ; t 42 E. t 66, mes Is r eExc gev. n u anc han Saund r ,78Va. r 7 ( 08) Daws v. t own sI s Co.2008 es Ci. 4 20 ; on Auo- er n . , W L 1 365 a * ( . Va. .23, ) Ef ergulrt an quaiyofc a t ... r t 8 06, t 4 W D. Apr 2008. t' e aiy d lt on cs ae he -h 2D e or h c t Als at I . Co v Pa tr o , 4 SE.d s 0 s 3( . 9 6 f r h pop st nt a it n i b a ies l t e ns . . t s n 3 4 . 2 9 7 9 Va 1 8 ) o t e r o ii e o t ne t s dipostve. l i n .Pater on me el hol t tÃ§ape s si t nti i r a i de e m i ng e he he s ii t s ot ts r y ds ha Ã§ r on' n e s mpo t nt n t r ni t r q ii sa a r i ntofapa tc a hous hol .' I ( mp a i a d d .M o e v r i itn we e ip iie i ualfe s esde r iul r e d ' d e h ss d e ) r o e ,f n e t r s os v ,t t woul no hel De or h' c e Se patIIB) b ow. d t p b a s as . e r I( , el 3 m os si fcantf or f det m i ng r i t gnii act s or er ni esdence i a hous d.' D awson,200 W L 1836506, n ehol ' at* 4. I I. A s al num beroff s ar noti di e. Debor sm ot ,V igi a T yl ,ownsa m l act e n sput ah' her r ni or hous l a e a 1 00 Til sRi e Drve i R ihm ond, igi a She ha lve t e e snc e oc t d t 1 ler dg i n c V r ni . si d r i e 2006,al w ih D ebor s fve chidr overw hom she hascusody. Fr eary 2007 t eary ong t ah' i l en, t om o l 2 De a ssse DineTa o (( a ' alolve a tehous alngwi h rf 009, borh' itr a ylr ( ne' s i d t h Di ) e, o t e our chidr Thepartes agr on ltl ele. l en. i ee ite s A. Debor t tfed t s al lved a 1100 Til s Ri Dri A ccor g t D ebor ah es ii hat he so i t ler dge ve. di o ah, s sayed att hous f t entr y of2009,wih t excepton ofa f ni t ts s he t he e or he iet t he i ew ght ha he pent a acou i shous,i j lori vai me c fcltes De a De a 1 1 .W he as d t sn' e n ai, n rous diala iii . borh p. t 5n ke how l s hadbe nlvi a t ho ea ofJ y2008,s rs ong he e i ng t he us s ul he eponde ksi et da my d i lnc he y l m ot moved i t hous ' D ebor Dep.at22. She f hert tfi t s t her n hat e.' ah urt esi ed hat he ayed att he hous ove ni ,contnuousl f t peri begi ng J e r ght i y, or he od nni anuar 2008 up t t t e oft y o he i he acci . D ebor Dep.at30. M or dent ah eover s i ca ed t att tm e oft acc' ,she had a , he ndi t hat he i he dent hous ke t s had r ved severalweeksaferm ovi i D ebor D ep.a 0. A lhough e y hat he ecei t ng n. ah t t s e di no h ve a be oom du i t pe i s e r gul ry s e on t c c i he f m iy h d ta dr rng he rod, h e a l lpt he ou h n a l r . Debor Dep.at30. She keptcl hi a t hous i herown dr oom ah ot ng t he e, n aweran cl et and os , r ved m ai att addr s,i udi herSoci Securt and chid s ecei l he es ncl ng al iy l uppor pay ent . D ebor t s ah Dep.at52,35. Ot sconfr ed t D ebor r ved m ai att r dence. V igi a Dep.at her im hat ah ecei l he esi ni 16*Di ond Dep.at27. , am 4 D e r h f t rt s i d t ts hasha sgnii a tho e d r s bo a urhe e the ha he d i fc n us hol e ponsb'ii a 1 00 i ltes t 1 Til r Ri Drve,i u ng gr e y s ppi c e ni a pr parng m ea s e r h De le s dge i ncl di oc r ho ng, l a ng, nd e i l . bo a p. a 414 60.Shef t ri c tdt ts ha padhe mohe $500pe mont i rn del r t -2, urhe ndiae ha he s i r t r r h e td ve g snc Iveb nlvi wih ( r. De oahDe a 60- . i e ' ee i ng t he)' b r ' p. t 613 Ac or ngt De ah, ni tprort t a cde ,s wa sa ng wih Dougls c di o bor one gh i o he c i nt he j tyi a Fich i Cam pbel Count H ow ever s cl m ed t s w asm er y pl ng t s ay w ih t n l y. , he ai hat he el anni t t Fic f aw e ke c out Deb a De a 20. And bo h Fic a he f i nd Cr t t h or e nd ook . or h p. t t t h nd r re ysal Po e swe e unde t i pr s i t tDe a lve i Ri hm ond w ih he m o e . Fic D e w r r r he m e son ha bor h i d n c t r t r t h p. a 8,Powe s De a l N o t l s , ihe Powe s n Fic k w f rc t i he e De a t' r p. t 8. ne he e s ne t r r or t h ne o era n r bor h lved. Power D ep.at20,24,28,44- .Fich Dep.at37. i s 45, t B. St e Far ' w iness t la r m ar y dif entsor l pari ar t t tm ony of at m s t es el e kabl fer t y. n tcul , he es i De rh' mot r Vigi a he da htr Dimo Bowls(d a bo a s he , r ni; < ug e , a nd e d mond''a h rsse, a Di ', nd l itrDine, al ofw hom lved att house asofJ y 25,2008,gi t sr i pr si t tDebor w as l i he ul ves he tong m es on h ah atm os a tansi gues ofl100 Til s Ri Drve. t r ent t ler dge i Ac or ngt Vigi a, boa ha b e a t hous G fa o ' $(Jto a c di o r ni De rh d e n the e d nd n'but$ o n of p r n n b ss' Vi i i De a l . t h wo l j s c mea dg S ema et mo t s ema e t a i. r na p. t 0 Ã§ e ud ut o n o. h y wo nh , ' g s 3De a alo al mpt t i r e c rai doc bor h s te s o ntoduc e t n umen a y e de . t r vi nce ( e d c e n . 2 5 3 -, d3 -) l S e o kt o 3 -, 26 a 27. n pa tc a,t se de es riulr hi vi nc howst tDeb a us teTilr RigeDrveaddes onva i f m ,i l ng ha or h ed h le s d i r s rous or nc udi doc nt fom t publcs hool t therc lr natnd . Pe ha mor sgnii nl atRi rTrp Lit ume s r he i c s ha hid e te ed r ps e i fca ty, & d i s Re t fom Logitcar Sol tons LLC, non- mer nc m e ca ta p tton c pa , s e t tDe ah por' r ' si e u i . a e ge y di l r ns ora i om ny ho d ha bor waset rpiked up, dr d of f me c ca e,a V igi a' ho e, doz ofocc sons e wee 20 a ihe c or oppe f or di al r t r ni s us on ens ai t n 07 nd 200 Be au et edoc n sha notbe n a he iae purua tt Rul 90l a co tt e na isbl 9. c s hes ume t ve e ut ntc td s n o e , nd ns iut dm s i e he ra u rRul 8 1m a n consde t m . De a rghtycone t tadmisbii :1 sa es wha as y nde e 02, y ot i r he borh i l tnds ha s i lt 11 r ome t y rlx d i t es mmayj d me t et g Se Ceoe Cop. . te t4 7U. . 7 3 4( 9 6 h dn t a a ea e n h u r u g n s ti . e l tx r v Ca r t 7 S 31 , 2 l s ) olig h t n s p ryn e n t u mie ie c i a misbefr Ã§oa odsmmayj d me f) UL. ptf o sn &. b n at ed o s b t vd n e n d sil om t v i u r u g n ' S De o u ig Ura t ; Deeo n v Co t nr l reigt S lsMa a e n o Fz,n .6 F.d9 0 9 6(9 5 (oigta v lpme t . s Co to Mak tn : ae n g me tf t Ic, 4 3 2 , 2 1 9 n t ht o . n whl ia misbee d n ei t r iaiya ia e u t b ssfrsmmayj d me t'h r ei &o u fin l ie n d sil vie c st dn rl n n d q ae ai o u r u g n, te ul s n t nal gy o ' i rgi ' .Howe r t r i nor a ont s miet tt r e ofe denc aerlxedi abe ht a purua tt i d.) ' ve ,he e s e s o ur s ha he uls vi e r ea n nc r l s n o Rul 52. Furhe m or ,e i Iwe et c i rt e de e i wou d notc ge t out ome b c e oft e t r e ven f r o onsde he vi nc , t l han he c aus he srn t o t etsi n ds u s d i p r I( , eo te g h f h e t y ic s e n a t 1B) b lw. mo 5 t e m on hs She l c e ba k m a s a a co e da o s The s l be one a ai ' 1 hr e t . 'l om c ybe t y upl ys r o. n he'l g n. d. ' W hen as w het Debor lved att hous i J y 2008,D i ked her ah i he e n ul amond sai $lw ul ts s d$ dn' ay he lve t r She woul c e a go. D i m o De a 1 She a s co ur e ha Deb a i d he e. d om nd ' a nd p. t 3. ' l o nc r d t or h dw oul s ay f a perod ofpr d d t or i obabl t o days and s w oul l ve' f a peri fm ont 1 yw he d ea ' or od hs. d. a l M or ver Debo a s ss e t s ii t tDeb a d t ye w ih e r t 4. eo , r h' it r e tfed ha or h d a d t ve ybod ' nd t t s y, a ha Deboa E n' a g r moh rsh e'fom t be n ngof2 t ou t da oft rh ' t t hel te ' ous ' r he gini was 008 hr gh h y he acci . D i Dep.at12,l3,26. A nd alhough D ebor i cat t she lv d att hous dent ane t ah ndi ed hat i he e t ough t entr y of2006,D i s d: hr he iet ane ai du i 200 ldo tkno whe e s w a lvi M y s s e be e r rng 6, n' w r he s i ng. it r ve ywhe . You c n' r a t pi nt ... She'lcal you and t lyou she' i N ort Car i She'lt 1 you s s i npoi . l l el sn h olna. l 1 he' n atAtant Geor a. She'lt lyou Im i N ew Yor ...She'lt lyou s e' i l a, gi l el ' n k. l el sn Te es e . So lca tr a l t lyo t tswhe e s w a b a e w e ... r y s e he . nn s e n' e ly el u ha ' r he s ec us ba el e r Di eDe a 1 1 l De orhsa da t h ei 2006 itwoul bef (j i tan an p. t 6- 7. f b a tye t he ous n ,s i d or a gh d t ' i. She gone t nextday. Then we don' s herf a coupl ofm ont ' 6 at 19. hats t he t ee or e hs.' L Dineetmaedt tDe a sa a t hous Ã»i ( lsx'tmest oug t e ieye r a si t ha borh tyed t he e lve or i 'i hr h he ntr a . f 1 at18. d. V igi a coul notesi at whatper age oftm e Debor sayed att house, b c us r ni d tm e cent i ah t he ea e s w asti a outal t tm e.' V i ni D ep.at 1 N orcoul V igi a estm a e how m a he sn nd l he i ' rgi a 0. d r ni i ny days i a r Debor w oul s ay becaus Ã»i w asver s dom .' 1 at l1. W hen as how n ow ah d t e it y el ' d. ked m any days a mont D ebora spentatt house,herm ot r ponded d -ow m an daysa h h he her es sl l m ont som etm est gilbe gone f aboutt , t ee m ont ata tm e.' 1 a 19. W hen h, i hat r or wo hr hs i ' d t as how m any days Debor st ked ah ayed att house i t yearl ng up t t ac i , s was he n he eadi o he dent he lkewi unabl t do s I at47. Bot V igi aand D i t tfed t Debor ' abs i se eo o. d h r ni ane es ii hat a s ences w oul be s ext d o ended t t di notknow whet Debor w as dead oralve. #.at46; hat hey d her ah i D i D ep.at21. ane 6 A lh t ough V igi a c im e t tDe a r c ve m ai a t hous up t t tm e of r ni onfr d ha bor h e ei d l t he e he i t e a i n ,he t s i o gi st i es i n t tDe a us d t l ton a m or ofa pos h cc de t r e tm ny ve he mpr s o ha bor h e he oca i e t of i box t a hom e. V igi a woul t caly onl s D ebor h att begi ng oft fce han r ni d ypi l y ee a he nni he mont w hen D eborah w oul pi up herdiabiiy checks. V igi a Dep.at 1 . She h, d ck s lt r ni 2-1 e pl i e t tb c s d e r h us t m ove s m a y pl c s ne rdi c ge he a e s x a n d ha e au e t bo a ed o D o n a es he ve d ha r ddr s . l s lf ia myho e s wa s et ge g rmal,yo kn ' 1 .a l f he ett t us , he s ur o t he il u ow. d t 7. orove,hee ' e rt r i evi s dence t D ebor f hat ah orwar heri porantm ai t ot addr es. Fori t ded m t l o her ess n ance,on J une l4,2007,Debor s a l tert t V igi aD eparm entofChid SupportEnf cem ent w hih ah ent e t o he r ni t l o , c s d, n r l va pa t d e e f w a d a lm y mai t my ne ad e s 1l Grgg S r t ai i e e nt r : t as or r l pl lo w dr s 5 i ee , Pet s g,VA 23803. l' been her snce M ay lS., Docketno.33,Ex.6. She lkew ie er bur ve ei t, i s r ved mai att Pet sbur addr s fom t V igi a D e t entofCor ect nsi June ecei l he er g es r he r ni parm r i n 20 I Furher e, he ha he So a Se rt c c de i r d t Cr t Po e s sho e 07. d t mor s d r ci l cu iy he k lve e o ysal r ' us i m edi el afert acci . Debor D ep.a 35. m at y t he dent ah t V i ni di notconsi D ebor t be a m em beroft househol asofJ l 25,2008 rgi a d der ah o he d y tbecaus s t d m e s m ovi up t Lynchbur ...' V igi a D ep.at28. D i e si iary G e he ol he ng o g ' r ni a mll si t tt tt e poitoft a cd nts ewa lvi i Lyn hbur ' DineDe a 27 43. ad ha ' hgl n he c ie , h s i ng n c g. a a ' p t , Lie s , boa sau , at AnnHave ($ l y' t tfe t tt da a e t k wie De rh' ntM rha r y 6 ' ' esiid ha he y r he Have ) a cde t De rhcaldhe t syÃ»gl wa i Lyn bur Hos t a s s i s wa Ivi c i n, boa le r o a Ã»she s n ch g pial nd he ad he s i ng t r wih s fi .... Ha v y De a 8( mpha i a ded) M or ove , sal wer he e t ome rends ' r e p. t e ' ss d . e r C t Po s t tfed t when Debor s ayed wih heri Red Hous , V igi a,afert acci ent Debor esii hat ah t t n e r ni t he , ah ake i t yc dS tge abi hous a lvei i(o t r. PowesDe a 1 34. s d f he oul jus t g e nd i n ttgehej' ' r p. t 3, Contar t D ebor st tm ony,Pow er alo i ca ed t tDebor had been sa i i r yo ah' es i s s ndi t ha ah t ng n Lynchbur f abouta m ont pri t t acci , notone ort days. Power D p.at12. g or h or o he dent wo s 7 A c or ng t V igi a whe Cr as a d Fic pi k d D e or h up t t ke e t c di o r ni , n e y n t h c e b a oa ro Lync g,she t tever hi s owned' w ih her Vigi a D ep.a 26hbur ook t yt ng he ' t . r ni t 27. i ond s d am ai t t sw ascom mon pr i W hen D e ah l t 11 Til sRi D rve,Ã»he cl hesand hat hi actce. bor ef 00 ler dge i t ot ever hi go w ih her.' D im ond Dep.at16. Bot Di ond a D i t ii t tDebor yt ng t ' a h am nd ane estfe ha ah di n ke p p s lpr pery a t h e, nd s di n ha adr s e oracls ta t d ot e erona o t t he ous a he d ot ve e s r e t he house. D i ond D ep.a 16,Di D ep.at65. A ccor ng t Harvey,who cl m ed t have am t . ane di o ai o viie t h et ort eetme pe we k i 2008,he ewasno i c tont De r h lve st d he ous wo hr i s r e n t r ndia l ha bo a i d t e durng t perod. 1 atl6,l8. M or her i he i d. eover,bot V igi a and Di ne deni hatD ebor h r ni a ed ah everhad a key. Vigi a D ep.at48;Di Dep.at24. r ni ane St t Far ' w ines esalo cal i o ques i t ext t whi D ebor ass ed a e m s t s s l nt ton he ent o ch ah um hous d r ponsi ltes Vigi a deni t Debor pai r . Rat ,she s i Ã§i Debor ehol es biii . r ni ed hat ah d ent her d, tf ah ha ( y)a dIc thhe,Deb a woul gi mewh tve,5 400, b t pa nt d mone n ac r orh d ve ae r 00, ' uth yme s ' w er i tbisand pi ....' 1 at52. D i w asundert i pr on t De or pr ded enÃ»t eces ' d. ane he m essi hat ah ovi no fnanci s i al upportw hat soever D i Dep.at27- M or . ane 28. eover w hieD i on , l am a kno l dge t tDe a woul bu gr e i swhe s w a a ound, he a s t s ii d t t c w e d ha bor h d y oc re n he s r s l o tfe ha De a dddg ohi ralysg fc n a al t hepo ao t ho e.Di o De a borh i dnlt ng e l iniia t t l' o l ut r und he us a nd p. t ' l8-19. D i lkew ie i ca ed t D ebor neihercooked norcl ane i s ndi t hat ah t eaned. Di ane e . atl8,27. p Fi ly,St t Far ' e de e t ndst s na l a e m s vi nc e o how t tDebo a ha a s r i d r l tons p ha r h d t a ne a i hi wih m em ber oft hous d. A lhough s i taly t tfed t t contar , D bor t s he ehol t he nii l esii o he r y ah uli at y adm it t herm ot had sol l and physcalcus ody ofal ofh rchidr . tm el ted hat her e egal i t l l en A ccor ng t Vigi a,s t cusody because Debor Ã»di thave a per ane tpl f di o r ni he ook t ah G dn' m ace or gh c l e ...o lve. Vigi aDe a 40. Dinet siid t tDimond Ã» on' ha t o t e hidr nj t i ' r ni p. t ' a e tfe ha a Ã» t ve o d muc t s yt r borhl'a t ryou s s ndon'e nrs c he . Dine e a 20. h o a o De a ,' nd d he nget o t ve e pet r' a ' p. t 8 She f t rt s ii d t ts l ke he d swhe De a w a ar urhe e tfe ha he oc d r oor n bor h s ound,b a s wa a r i ec us he s f a d t D ebor woul sealf om her. D i D ep.at64. hat ah d t r ane 1 11. I lghtoft f egoi i i appar t t e a e genui i s ofm a ralf t n i he or ng, t s ent hat her r ne s ues t i act hat c nnotber ol dwihoutudgi t ce biiyofwines sorweihi t e ien .I a es ve t j ng he rdi lt t se g ng he d ce t woul t rfr b i p opraet e e j dgme tu rRul 56.Se Re ve , 0U. a 1 0. d heeo e e na pr it o ntr u n nde e e e s5 S.t 5 Howe r b ca e t w e ghtoft e de ce s ppors St t Fa m ' poston,a D e r h' ve , e us he i he vi n u t a e r s ii nd bo a s t tm ony i notgener l cr bl Debor f l t m eetherbur ofprovi c ver a 1 esi s aly edi e, ah ais o den ng age, nd wilt rfr e e j gme unde Rul 5 l heeoe ntr ud nt r e 2. A. The gr a bul oft adm is bl e de e i t sc s c i t o de ii t s i o e t k he s i e vi nc n hi a e onss s f posto e tm ny, a D e r h' c e r s s l r l o he o n sa e nt . Gi n t i ons se y be w e n nd bo a s as e t a ge y n r w t t me s4 ve he nc it nc t e Debor st tm ony,and t ofherm ot ,ss er and daught D e ah' cr biiy i of ah' es i hat her it , er, bor s ed' lt s via i p t nc t he c e. Bu De a i s mpl no c e bl Fis , he hasa e de t t l m ora e o r as t bor h s i y t r di e. r t s vi n fnanci sake i t out e oft s ltgaton. Second,s hast ee acknow l ed f ony dr i al t n he com hi ii i he hr ed el ug convi i ctons. See Fed.R .Evi 609. Fi l and m os si fcanty,i i concl e1 esabls d. naly, t gnii l t s usi y t ihed t ts gave f s t tm ony on num er occasi i t scas Fori ance,s t tfed t ha he ale es i ous ons n hi e. nst h es ii hat s ha cusod ofhe c l e a t the m o he m e e y ha gua di ns p rgh s De a he d t y r hidr n, nd ha r t r r l d r a hi i . bor h 4De a ague t tPower a Fichc r aeh soyt ts lve i Rihmondw ihhe ot r Howe r borh r s ha s nd t orobort er tr ha he i d n c t r he. ve , t c r ai i w e k.ThePowe sa Fic de iinss t tDe a mil t m a he oroborton s a r nd th posto how ha borh sed he bou h lvi er i ng ar n ra geme s De or ht dPowe st ts wasu ir c nty lvig i aibi hous 't s eha t s lf nt. b a ol r ha he ntl e e l i n n Ã» g e'hat h d o el or fn n ile sn .P wesDe . t 5 De o a tl Fi hta s eh dj s b i o b g t h ue Fi hDe .t ia ca rao s o r p a 3 . b rh od t h t h a u t ul r ou h a o s. t p a c t c 29 3 Neih oft e c en i i a cur t M or ove , ca e Powe s a Fic lve i t ync g a ea - 0. t er hos ont tons s c a e. e r be us r nd t h i d n he hbur r , t y ha ltl op t t t obs l e De a s a tvii a 11 0 Til r Ri Drve. Fi l al oug t y he d ite poruniy o e' v bor h' c i tes t 0 le s dge i naly, t h he s nnie t tD e or hwaslvig wihherm ohe,bot Powesan Fichtsi e t tt y di n know f c ran u sd ha b a in t t r h r d t ett d ha he d ot i or e ti whe eD e or h lved. r b a i 9 De a 6. W he c r e w ih do um e a y e de et t c nt a y,s a it d t tt t p. t n onfont d t c nt r vi nc o he o r r he dm te ha ha wa f s De a Admi. 22- .Shecai dt tfom J y2006tr J y20 s s ale. borh s !! 31 l me ha r ul hough ul 08, he tal ayslved atTil s Ri Dri ' a t s r ved m ai onl a t addr duri t Ã»w i ler dge ve,' nd hat he ecei l y t hat ess ng he perod. Debor Dep.at34- H ow ever w he conf ont w ih docum ent y evi i ah 35. , n r ed t ar dence t t o he co rr s a te t tt s to,wa f s De a Admi. ! 2,6.Shef t rtsiid ntay, he dmitd ha hi,o s ale. borh s! urhe etfe t s sl atVigi a' house ever ni f om Januar l,20l0 t ough Febr y 23,2010, hat he ept r ni s y ght r y hr uar w ih t exce i ofa s ay a t Ri ond Bon Secour Com m uniy H os t . D ebor Dep. t he pton t t he chm s t pial ah a 1 1 Bu s l t ad it d t ts a s s a d a a hot f s ver lda durng t a t 4- 5. t he a er m te ha he lo t ye t el or e a ys i h t Fe r r Deb a Admi.( l l Thi patm ofofe i s fs vngt tmony,h buay. orh s ! 4- 5. s te ! frng el-eri esi ten r ntng,cas sgr doubton Debor st ut ul eca i t ave ah' r hf ness. lam m i uloft i ndf he ncentve t Vigi a may have had t exagger e hert tm ony. i hat r ni o at esi Vigi a wasa r t tD e a u e h r i s r nc i or a i a s f a e t the r ni ng y ha bor h s d e n u a e nf m ton, nd he e r d ha r pr i sw oul i eas asa r toft sltgaton. V igi a D ep.at42- How ever her em um d ncr e esul hi ii i r ni 44. , t tmony was I gel cor obor ed by t tofD i Di ond,a H ar y. M or es i ar y r at ha ane, am nd ve eover wher , e hert tm ony dif ed,i w asnotunior l benefci t hercas Fori t , V igi a esi fer t f my i al o e. ns ance r ni t s ii d t tDeb a woul oc a i ly gi he a f w hu e dola s butD i ne t s ii d t t e tfe ha or h d c s ona l ve r e ndr d l r , a e tfe ha Debor pr ded Vi ni w ih no fna als ah ovi rgi a t i nci upport l a ton, i bear notng t w ines . n ddii t s i hat t ses who have Itl i any st i t s ltgaton alo cont ct Debor on key poi s. For ite f ake n hi ii i s radi ed ah nt i t ns ance,alhough Debor t tfi t att tm e oft acci s w as onl i t t ah esi ed hat he i he dent he y n he Lyn hbur a e f a we ken c c g r a or e d ooko , w e ss d t a D e a be n i t a ea f a ta ut Po r ai h t bor h e n he r or bou m o h,a H a ve t tfe t tDeb a wa t i ng i ' nt nd r y es ii d ha or h s t vi n'Lync r . l hbu g 10 B. Rul 5 pr de ta tina a tontidont fcswihou aj yo w'ha a vior e 2 ovi s h ti q n ci re he a t t t ur r t n d s y g j y,hec l mus fndt fcss calya dsaeisc cl i o lw s r ey. ur t ou' t i he a t pe i l n tt t on usons f a epaa l ' t ' Co l inso lw aestfrhi pa t( ,dic sngt a ia elga sa r ,a d ncuso f a r e o t n r lA) susi he pplc bl e l tnd ds n f t t 3, es vi a e dt ta' diput oono t r ol ng n vi n il s c. y Consde i t c e biiy oft w ine s and t wei htoft e de ,lm a t i rng he r di lt he t s es he g he vi nc ke he f l ng fndi off : A tt tm e oft acci ,D ebor i ended t r d i t olowi i ngs act he i he dent ah nt o esi n he Lynchbur a notR i ond. She had m i m al ir arcont sw ih V igi ' househol g rea, chm ni , regul act t r ni s d, a lda ii rn lf s ndi t gra maort ofh rtmea yfom t rsd nce Sh nd e n tnea t ie, pe ng he e t j iy e i wa r he e e . e di notkeep si fi per onalpr t att hous and s di notha a pl e t keep d gni cant s opery he e, he d ve a o per onalpr s opert att house. Cont ar t hert tm ony,she di nothave a key o t hous y he r yo esi d he e. Alhough she r ved m ai at l100 Til sRi Dri i t perod l ng up t a f l i t ecei l ler dge ve n he i eadi nd olow ng t J y 25,2008 acci ,s alo f war subs antalm ai t ot addr ses. W hie s he ul dent he s or ded t i l o her es l he occasi l gave herm ot m oney,t paym ent wer notr ar and di notc ns iut r . onaly her he s e egul , d tt e ent Alhoug s e oc asonaly b t h h c i l ough g oc res h co rbutonst t m ai t na e ft t r e i , er nti i o he n e nc he hous d and w el- ng ofherf iy w er nonet es i i fca . M or o r s ha a ehol lbei am l e hel s nsgnii nt e ve , he d sr ned r atonshi w ih sever m em ber oft hous d. l s , t qualt a d r ariy tai el i p t al s he ehol n um he iy egul t ofhercont t w ih t hous d wer l . ac s t he ehol e ow Accor ngl lf herfnd t D ebor had no (s ted orper anentsat ' atl100 di y, urt i hat ah tetl m tu ' Til sRi D rve asofJul 25,2008. Sm ih,l S.E.2d at566. She w asm or faviioror ler dge i y t 42 e st sj ur rta onewhos lf wasi e t ne wiht fmiy.I Theeor,De rhwa not oo ne h n e ie ntrwi d t he a l d rf e b a s ad e i ntof(h i ur d'lhous hol 'wihi t me ni ofVigi a' i ur nc polc Ã» sde r t e ns e s e d' t n he a ng r ni s ns a iy . l1 IV. Fort f egoi r he or ng easons,lw ilgr St t Far ' m oton pur uantt R l 52,deny l ant a e m s i s o e De rh' moton,a ene de lrtr j me i fvo ofStt Fam. boa s i nd tr caaoy udg ntn a r ae r The Cl k oft Courti diect t s a cer i ed copy oft sopi on t aI couns of er he s r ed o end tfi hi ni l el r d. ecor . x ? Etrdhs 1 dyoAuut2l. ne ti J a f gs 01 e , N o Ax K.M oo UNIIED STATES DI '' STRI JUDGE C 1 2

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