TOYIA MOODY V CITY OF DETROIT
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STATE OF MICHIGAN
COURT OF APPEALS
DENISE DIAMOND,
Plaintiff-Appellee/Cross-Appellant,
V
FOR PUBLICATION
April 12, 2005
9:10 a.m.
No. 252657
Wayne Circuit Court
LC No. 01-133307-NO
DAVID WITHERSPOON,
Defendant,
and
CITY OF DETROIT,
Defendant-Appellant/CrossAppellee.
TOYIA MOODY and STEPHANIE BENNETT,
Plaintiffs-Appellees/CrossAppellants,
V
No. 252658
Wayne Circuit Court
LC No. 01-118433-CZ
DAVID WITHERSPOON,
Defendant,
Official Reported Version
and
CITY OF DETROIT,
Defendant-Appellant/CrossAppellee.
Before: Fort Hood, P.J., and Griffin and Donofrio, JJ.
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DONOFRIO, J.
Defendant city of Detroit appeals as of right from a judgment of $2.625 million entered
on a jury verdict awarding plaintiffs $7.5 million as a result of violations of the Civil Rights Act
(CRA), MCL 37.2302, and allocating fault of thirty-five percent against defendant. The action
involved violations of the CRA in which defendant's employee, David Witherspoon, a police
sergeant, committed criminal sexual conduct against the three plaintiffs. Defendant now appeals,
arguing among other things that the trial court erred when it failed to find as a matter of law that
plaintiffs were not denied any public services under the CRA because of their sex, but instead
were subjected to criminal assault.1 Because we conclude that the CRA does encompass the
instant facts as a matter of law, and that plaintiffs were denied public services because of their
sex, we affirm.
I. Substantive Facts
This action arises out of the criminal sexual conduct committed by former Detroit Police
Sergeant David Witherspoon. Witherspoon admitted stopping all three plaintiffs on separate
occasions in 1999 and 2000. Instead of issuing tickets to plaintiffs for the alleged traffic
violations, Witherspoon initiated sexual contact and photographed plaintiffs Toyia Moody and
Denise Diamond with their breasts bared. Regarding plaintiff Stephanie Bennett, Witherspoon
photographed her while clothed, pulled at her dress, and attempted to touch her. It is undisputed
that Witherspoon pleaded guilty on three counts of extortion, MCL 750.213, and three counts of
second-degree criminal sexual conduct, MCL 750.520c(1)(c), in connection with the assaults on
plaintiffs.2 Witherspoon is currently serving concurrent sentences of three to fifteen years and
three to twenty years in prison.
A. Plaintiff Bennett
In June 1999, Witherspoon, while in uniform and in a marked police car, stopped
Bennett's vehicle on Seven Mile Road. When Bennett asked if she was getting a ticket,
Witherspoon answered that "it depended." Bennett's fiancé arrived at the scene, exchanged
words with Bennett, and left. Witherspoon stated that he would follow Bennett to her home. He
then motioned for her to stop, and he and Bennett got out of their vehicles. He asked Bennett for
her telephone number, and then returned with a camera and took Bennett's photograph.
Witherspoon told Bennett that he wanted to see her breasts and began tugging at her dress, but
Bennett pushed him away. He told her that he knew of a dark place where they could go, and
placed her hand on his penis and asked if she wanted to be a part of a ménage a trois. He fondled
her breasts as she returned to her vehicle. Witherspoon asked about Bennett's fantasies, and she
1
Plaintiffs initially cross-appealed, arguing only that fault cannot be allocated between a
principal and an agent when the basis of liability is respondeat superior, but plaintiffs withdrew
their cross-appeal and we did not consider it in the determination of this appeal.
2
Witherspoon did not participate in the litigation or in this appeal because plaintiffs and
Witherspoon accepted mediation before trial.
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told him to masturbate in the street. As she walked to her vehicle, Bennett saw that Witherspoon
had taken his penis out of his pants. Later, Witherspoon telephoned Bennett, telling her that he
had bought her lingerie and asking her to be a part of a threesome. He called again, but Bennett
would not speak to him. Witherspoon did not issue a ticket or take further action.
B. Plaintiff Diamond
On September 7, 1999, Witherspoon stopped Diamond for a traffic violation on Seven
Mile Road. Diamond did not have a driver's license. Witherspoon then went back to his vehicle
and called to her over the loudspeaker. Diamond got out of her car and walked back to the squad
car. Witherspoon told her that he could take her to jail or they could make some kind of
"arrangement." Witherspoon told Diamond that he was a "freak" and enjoyed threesomes, and
suggested that they have sex. He pulled out his penis and asked her to rub it, which she did.
Witherspoon asked Diamond to put her mouth on his penis, which she also did. He told her to
lift up her shirt. When she did so, Witherspoon took a photograph. Witherspoon then told her to
expose her buttocks and took a photograph. Witherspoon did not issue a ticket or take further
action.
C. Plaintiff Moody
On February 6, 2000, Witherspoon stopped Moody for a traffic violation on Seven Mile
Road. Witherspoon called Moody back to the squad car via the loudspeaker and discussed her
suspended license. Defendant told Moody that he was married but wanted someone to make him
feel good and that he was into threesomes. Witherspoon told Moody to return to her vehicle and
followed her with two cameras. Witherspoon told Moody to unbutton her jacket and take her
breasts out of her bra. He took photographs with both cameras. Moody refused Witherspoon's
request to remove her pants. Witherspoon told Moody to touch his penis, which she did through
his clothes. Witherspoon asked Moody to go with him to a side street, but she made excuses.
Witherspoon gave Moody a torn piece of cardboard with a telephone number on it. Moody
noted that Witherspoon was wearing a nametag with "H. Whitehead" on it. The next day,
Moody reported the incident and the Internal Affairs Division of the Detroit Police Department
investigated. Witherspoon did not issue a ticket or take further action.
II. Procedural History
Plaintiffs filed their suits in 2001, and they were consolidated in the trial court. The
original complaints and both subsequent amended complaints alleged violations of 42 USC 1983
and the CRA, specifically MCL 37.2302, by defendant. The federal claim was removed to
federal court, and the claim that was tried against defendant was the state sexual harassment
claim under the CRA.
Before trial, defendant moved for summary disposition under both MCR 2.116(C)(7) and
MCR 2.116(C)(10), arguing that it was entitled to governmental immunity pursuant to the
governmental tort liability act (GTLA), MCL 691.1401 et seq. Additionally, defendant argued
that even without governmental immunity, plaintiffs' CRA claims failed because plaintiffs were
not denied public services because of their sex, but were subjected to criminal behavior
perpetrated by Witherspoon. After entertaining oral argument on the issues and requesting
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additional briefing from the parties, the court denied the motion, finding that "plaintiffs could
succeed in establishing a violation of the Elliot-Larsen Civil Rights Act."
Immediately before trial, along with other motions in limine, defendant requested that
plaintiffs be precluded from mentioning any evidence illustrating notice by defendant of
Witherspoon's sexual conduct, either on- or off-duty. Plaintiffs stipulated that they would make
no mention of Witherspoon's other sexual conduct if that meant defendant would concede notice.
Defendant conceded that plaintiffs need not prove the element of notice in the action.
Thereafter, the matter proceeded to a jury trial in which plaintiffs elected to proceed only on the
theory of quid pro quo sexual harassment.
At the close of the proofs, defendant moved for a directed verdict, arguing again that the
evidence adduced at trial showed that Witherspoon's illegal acts were committed outside the
scope of legitimate law enforcement. Although plaintiffs did not ultimately proceed on a theory
of hostile environment sexual harassment, defendant argued that plaintiffs had not established as
a matter of law that the CRA applied in this context, since claims for both quid pro quo and
hostile environment sexual harassment under the CRA could only be brought in an employment
setting. Finally, defendant admitted that the language of the CRA is broad with the "intention . .
. to insure equal access to police accommodation and to services," stating that even if the CRA
did apply in this context, plaintiffs had not established that Witherspoon acted in a prejudicial
manner on the basis of sex. The trial court denied the motion, stating that it had already ruled on
the legal arguments during defendant's motion for summary disposition and found that, viewing
the evidence in a light most favorable to plaintiffs, the facts would support a prima facie case
under the CRA.
The jury returned a total verdict against defendant in the amount of $7.5 million3 and
allocated the defendant's fault at thirty-five percent. The trial court then entered judgment in the
amount of $2.625 million (thirty-five percent of $7.5 million) against defendant. The trial court
denied defendant's motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict (JNOV), new trial, or
remittitur and plaintiffs' motion for JNOV on the sole issue of allocation of fault. This appeal
followed.
III. Standard of Review
This Court reviews de novo a trial court's decision to grant summary disposition. Spiek v
Dep't of Transportation, 456 Mich 331, 337; 572 NW2d 201 (1998). Defendant moved for
summary disposition under MCR 2.116(C)(7) and (C)(10). A motion under MCR 2.116(C)(10)
tests the factual sufficiency of a plaintiff 's claim. Maiden v Rozwood, 461 Mich 109, 120; 597
NW2d 817 (1999). The trial court must consider the submitted evidence in the light most
3
The total verdict represented individual damage awards as follows: Bennett—$1 million past
compensatory damages and $800,000 future damages; Moody—$1.5 million past compensatory
damages and $1.1 million future damages; and Diamond—$1.9 million past compensatory
damages and $1.2 million future damages.
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favorable to the nonmoving party. Id.; MCR 2.116(G)(5). If the proffered evidence fails to
establish that a disputed material issue of fact remains for trial, summary disposition is properly
granted to the party so entitled as a matter of law. MCR 2.116(C)(10), (G)(4), and (I)(1);
Maiden, supra at 120.
"We review de novo a trial court's decision on a motion for summary disposition under
MCR 2.116(C)(7) to determine if the moving party was entitled to judgment as a matter of law."
McDowell v Detroit, 264 Mich App 337, 346; 690 NW2d 513 (2004). "A motion under MCR
2.116(C)(7) '"'tests whether a claim is barred because of immunity granted by law, and requires
consideration of all documentary evidence filed or submitted by the parties.'"'" Id. at 345,
quoting Maskery v Univ of Michigan Bd of Regents, 468 Mich 609, 613; 664 NW2d 165 (2003),
quoting Glancy v City of Roseville, 457 Mich 580, 583; 577 NW2d 897 (1998), quoting Wade v
Dep't of Corrections, 439 Mich 158, 162, 483 NW2d 26 (1992); see also MCR 2.116(G)(5).
This Court reviews de novo the trial court's decisions on a motion for a directed verdict
and a motion for JNOV. See Wilkinson v Lee, 463 Mich 388, 391; 617 NW2d 305 (2000). A
directed verdict is appropriate only when no factual question exists on which reasonable jurors
could differ. Cacevic v Simplimatic Engineering Co (On Remand), 248 Mich App 670, 679-680;
645 NW2d 287 (2001). The appellate court reviews all the evidence presented up to the time of
the directed verdict motion, considers that evidence in the light most favorable to the nonmoving
party, and determines whether a question of fact existed. Id. at 679. In reviewing the decision
on a motion for JNOV, this Court views the testimony and all legitimate inferences drawn from
the testimony in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party. Forge v Smith, 458 Mich 198,
204; 580 NW2d 876 (1998). If reasonable jurors could honestly have reached different
conclusions, the jury verdict must stand. Central Cartage Co v Fewless, 232 Mich App 517,
524; 591 NW2d 422 (1998).
Whether statutory language permits a cause of action is a legal question that this Court
reviews de novo. See, generally, Beason v Beason, 435 Mich 791, 805; 460 NW2d 207 (1990).
IV. Analysis
A. Civil Rights Act
Defendant argues that plaintiffs have not stated a cognizable claim of sexual
discrimination under the CRA. Defendant asserts that plaintiffs have failed to plead a cause of
action that imposes liability under the CRA. Specifically, defendant argues that plaintiffs did not
plead, and cannot prove, that they were denied access to public services or accommodations,
namely police services, and for that reason their CRA claim fails as a matter of law. Defendant
asserts that plaintiffs were not denied public services because of their sex and, as such, the CRA
does not apply. For those reasons, defendant argues that the trial court should have granted
defendant's motions for summary disposition and directed verdict.
Plaintiffs counter that defendant's police services fall squarely within the CRA. Plaintiffs
assert that Witherspoon discriminated against plaintiffs because of their sex when he degraded
and sexually assaulted each of them while on duty. It is plaintiffs' position that each plaintiff
suffered quid pro quo sexual harassment when Witherspoon made their compliance with his
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sexual advances a condition of releasing them from his police authority and effectively denied
them equal access to public police services because of their sex.
The CRA provides, in pertinent part:
Except where permitted by law, a person shall not:
(a) Deny an individual the full and equal enjoyment of the goods,
services, facilities, privileges, advantages, or accommodations of a place of public
accommodation or public service because of religion, race, color, national origin,
age, sex, or marital status. [MCL 37.2302.]
The essence of a sex discrimination civil rights suit is that similarly situated persons have
received disparate treatment because of their sex. Radtke v Everett, 442 Mich 368, 379; 501
NW2d 155 (1993); Schellenberg v Rochester Lodge No 2225 of the Benevolent & Protective
Order of Elks, 228 Mich App 20, 34; 577 NW2d 163 (1998). Sexual harassment is considered a
subset of sex discrimination. Chambers v Trettco, Inc, 463 Mich 297, 315; 614 NW2d 910
(2000); Koester v City of Novi, 458 Mich 1, 11; 580 NW2d 835 (1998); MCL 37.2103(i).
The CRA further provides:
Sexual harassment means unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual
favors, and other verbal or physical conduct or communication of a sexual nature
under the following conditions:
(i) Submission to the conduct or communication is made a term or
condition either explicitly or implicitly to obtain employment, public
accommodations or public services, education, or housing.
(ii) Submission to or rejection of the conduct or communication by an
individual is used as a factor in decisions affecting the individual's employment,
public accommodations or public services, education, or housing.
(iii) The conduct or communication has the purpose or effect of
substantially interfering with an individual's employment, public accommodations
or public services, education, or housing, or creating an intimidating, hostile, or
offensive employment, public accommodations, public services, educational, or
housing environment. [MCL 37.2103(i).]
Sexual harassment that falls into one of the first two subsections is referred to as quid pro quo
sexual harassment. Chambers, supra at 310. Sexual harassment that falls into the third
subsection is commonly labeled hostile environment sexual harassment. Id. Plaintiffs chose to
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proceed to the jury in the circuit court strictly on a theory of quid pro quo sexual harassment, and
therefore this appeal concerns only quid pro quo sexual harassment.4
Even a brief review of case law will reveal that, indeed, the vast majority of sexual
harassment claims brought under the CRA are in the context of employment situations, as
defendant points out. However, we begin our analysis of the issue by studying the text of the
applicable statutes. The fundamental aim of statutory construction is to give effect to the intent
of the Legislature. Erb Lumber, Inc v Gidley, 234 Mich App 387, 392; 594 NW2d 81 (1999).
This Court must look at the specific statutory language and, if it is "'clear and unambiguous,
judicial construction is neither required nor permitted, and courts must apply the statute as
written.'" Id., quoting USAA Ins Co v Houston Gen Ins Co, 220 Mich App 386, 389; 559 NW2d
98 (1996). Furthermore, "a court may read nothing into an unambiguous statute that is not
within the manifest intent of the Legislature as derived from the words of the statute itself."
Roberts v Mecosta Co Gen Hosp, 466 Mich 57, 63; 642 NW2d 663 (2002).
The CRA sexual harassment subsets, MCL 37.2103(i)(i) to (iii) address not only
employment, as argued by defendant, but also discrimination in public services, public
accommodations, educational institutions, and housing. According to MCL 37.2103(i)(iii),
sexual harassment includes unwelcome sexual conduct or advances that have "the purpose or
effect of substantially interfering with an individual's . . . public accommodations or public
services . . . or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive . . . public accommodations [or]
public services . . . environment." Clearly, the plain language of the CRA includes situations
outside the realm of employment where an individual's access to public accommodations or
public services is affected.
Because the CRA does apply in circumstances outside employment relationships, the
next step in the analysis is to determine whether plaintiffs were denied access to public services
or accommodations. Defendant argues that it was entitled to summary disposition because
plaintiffs did not sufficiently allege they were denied public services as a result of Witherspoon's
criminal conduct. It is defendant's position that, because plaintiffs were in no way denied police
services or any other public accommodation or service because of their sex, the instant facts do
not fit within the intended scope of the CRA. Plaintiffs counter by arguing that defendant's
police services fall squarely within the CRA as a public service or accommodation. Further,
plaintiffs assert that the facts clearly show that Witherspoon discriminated against them because
of their sex when he sexually assaulted them and effectively denied them access to public police
services.
The purpose of the CRA is to prevent discrimination in employment and housing and
other real estate, and to ensure full and equal utilization of public accommodations, public
services, and educational facilities. MCL 37.2102(1). The opportunity to obtain the full and
equal utilization of a public service without the discrimination because of sex prohibited by the
4
Because it is not before us, we express no opinion whether this set of facts could create a claim
for hostile environment sexual harassment.
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CRA is recognized and declared a civil right. Id. A person alleging a violation of the CRA may
bring a civil action for either injunctive relief or damages, or both. MCL 37.2801.
As stated earlier, discrimination because of sex includes sexual harassment. Sexual
harassment means unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or
physical conduct or communication of a sexual nature when the conduct or communication has
the purpose or effect of substantially interfering with an individual's public services. MCL
37.2103(i).5 A city shall not deny an individual the full and equal enjoyment of services and
privileges of a place of public service because of sex. MCL 37.2103(g) and (h); MCL 37.2302.
The CRA defines "public service" as being essentially some "agency established to provide
service to the public . . . ." MCL 37.2301(b). Specifically, MCL 37.2301(b) provides that
"public service"
means a public facility, department, agency, board, or commission, owned,
operated, or managed by or on behalf of the state, a political subdivision, or an
agency thereof or a tax exempt private agency established to provide service to
the public, except that public service does not include a state or county
correctional facility with respect to actions and decisions regarding an individual
serving a sentence of imprisonment.
In Kassab v Michigan Basic Prop Ins Ass'n, 441 Mich 433, 439; 491 NW2d 545 (1992),
our Supreme Court concluded that the focus of § 2302 of the CRA, MCL 37.2302, is "on denial
of access to a place of public accommodations or public services." (Emphasis in original.) In
Kassab, the Court found that because the complaint did not allege denial of access to public
accommodations, it was beyond the scope of the legislative purpose of the CRA to provide
redress to plaintiff. Id. at 440-441. Here, the complaint alleges that plaintiffs were denied public
services because of their sex. Thus, it is within the scope of the CRA, and the issue is whether
the CRA encompasses these facts as a matter of law.
Defendant asserts that plaintiffs were in no way "denied" police services because of their
sex. Defendant states that this is not an instance, for example, in which plaintiffs contacted the
police for service and were refused service unless they first agreed to have sex. Defendant relies
on Dockweiler v Wentzell, 169 Mich App 368; 425 NW2d 468 (1988). The Dockweiler plaintiff
sought professional counseling services from the defendant mental health facility's staff
psychologist. She was treated by the psychologist for eleven months, during which time he
made sexual advances to her, threatened her with sexual assault, touched her sexually, and
ultimately had sexual intercourse with her. Id. at 370. The plaintiff filed suit under the CRA, but
did not allege that the psychologist's actions toward her were made a condition of obtaining
mental health services at the facility. She did not allege that his actions had the effect of
substantially interfering with the public services rendered to her. Further, the defendant facility
5
We do not engage in a hostile environment sexual harassment analysis, but refer to language
found in MCL 37.2103(i)(iii) only for guidance in the definition of sexual harassment in this
quid pro quo context.
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alleged that, if the plaintiff questioned the propriety of the therapy, she only had to "walk away,"
request a new counselor, or complain to a higher authority. Id. at 374.
The instant case is easily distinguishable because plaintiffs had public police services
imposed on them by defendant, and they were not free to leave the public services environment
created when Witherspoon stopped and detained each plaintiff. Witherspoon used his position as
a uniformed police officer in a marked police car to stop each plaintiff, detain her against her
will, exert authority over her, and finally humiliate and sexually assault her. In fact,
Witherspoon made plaintiffs' compliance with his sexual advances a condition of releasing them
from his police authority. Plaintiffs argue, and this Court agrees that unlike Dockweiler,
plaintiffs were not free to "walk away" from Witherspoon, an on-duty, uniformed police officer
exerting apparent authority over plaintiffs. Moreover, in this case, plaintiffs alleged that
Witherspoon stopped them for no legitimate public service reason, that Witherspoon required
sexual favors as a quid pro quo for not arresting or ticketing them, that submission to
Witherspoon's conduct was made a condition of obtaining police services, e.g., release from
police custody, and that Witherspoon's actions had the effect of substantially interfering with the
public services rendered to them, services to which they were entitled without regard to sex or
sexuality.
To establish a claim of quid pro quo sexual harassment in the provision of public
services, a plaintiff must demonstrate, by a preponderance of the evidence, that (1) he or she was
subjected to unwelcome sexual conduct or communications as described in the statute, and (2)
that the public service provider or the public service provider's agent used submission to or
rejection of the proscribed conduct as a factor in a decision affecting the decision to provide
public services. MCL 37.2103(i); see also Chambers, supra at 310.
Plaintiffs were denied access to public accommodations or public services when
Witherspoon committed the sex-based offenses. All three plaintiffs were subjected to
unwelcome sexual conduct or communications as described in the statute when Witherspoon
sexually propositioned, groped, and photographed them during what plaintiffs' believed was an
authorized police stop of their respective vehicles. And Witherspoon, as a public service
provider's agent, used plaintiffs' submission to or rejection of his advances as a factor in his
decision to provide public services, i.e., to treat plaintiffs in the manner expected during an
ordinary police stop and to properly terminate the stop rather than ask plaintiffs to submit to a
sexual act in exchange for termination of the stop. See MCL 37.2103(i); see also Chambers,
supra at 310. There is ample record evidence that plaintiffs' sex and submission to or rejection
of sexual advances played the singular role in Witherspoon's decision to deny public services to
plaintiffs. Defendant's argument that each of the three plaintiffs stated that she did not "make a
deal" with Witherspoon to avoid being ticketed or arrested and that this undermines a claim for
quid pro quo sexual harassment is without merit. The elements of a claim of quid pro quo sexual
harassment do not require the victim to intend to bargain, or believe that he or she is bargaining,
for a certain result when the victim makes the decision to submit to, or reject, the sexual
advances. All that is required is that Witherspoon, as a public service provider's agent, used
plaintiffs' submission to or rejection of his advances as a factor in his decision to provide or deny
public services, which the record evidence shows he did. Plaintiffs established a sufficient case
of quid pro quo sexual harassment to allow the cause of action to proceed to a jury
determination.
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After studying the language of the CRA, we conclude that the facts of this case, as
established, were sufficient to submit to the jury the question whether Witherspoon's actions
amounted to sexual harassment. Witherspoon's actions while on duty as a uniformed police
sergeant implicated stereotypes and biases against women on the basis of sex in the provision of
public services which, is exactly what the CRA is intended to address and prevent. Witherspoon
acted with both gender and sexual prejudice in mind when he treated plaintiffs as merely female
sexual targets. The sexual assaults committed by Witherspoon, although criminal, also fall
within the CRA. Plaintiffs used the requisite CRA language in their complaints, and provided
record evidence of Witherspoon's disparate treatment of them on the basis of sex alone, thereby
successfully pleading and presenting a statutory cause of action under the CRA for quid pro quo
sexual harassment.
For these reasons, we conclude that plaintiffs' claims do fall within the ambit of the CRA,
and the trial court correctly denied defendant's motion for summary disposition. Further,
because the evidence adduced at trial only further supported plaintiffs' assertions of fact and
arguments during the summary disposition phase of trial, the trial court properly denied
defendant's motions for directed verdict and judgment notwithstanding the verdict.
B. Governmental Tort Liability Act
Defendant argues that it is immune from any liability because no exception applies to the
immunity granted to it under the GTLA. This argument is misplaced inasmuch as plaintiffs
brought suit against defendant under the CRA, not under an exception to governmental
immunity.
Governmental immunity is not a defense to a claim brought under the CRA. The
Legislature has allowed specific actions against the government to stand, such as one under the
CRA. Mack v Detroit, 467 Mich 186, 195 n 9; 649 NW2d 47 (2002), citing Manning v Hazel
Park, 202 Mich App 685, 699; 509 NW2d 874 (1993). The CRA specifically includes state and
political subdivisions as entities covered by the act. MCL 37.2103(g) and (h).
Further, we note the case cited by defendant, Dockweiler, is distinguishable because it did
not involve a sufficient claim under the CRA. The CRA expressly includes political
subdivisions such as cities. In contrast, Dockweiler involved the Mental Health Code, which
does not expressly include relief against public mental health facilities. The Mental Health Code
merely provides, in general, that mental health patients could pursue "injunctive and other
appropriate civil relief." MCL 330.1722(3). Because the Legislature did not provide that public
mental health facilities could be liable under MCL 330.1722, the Dockweiler Court concluded
that public health facilities were immune under the GTLA when engaged in their governmental
function. Dockweiler, supra at 376-377. Dockweiler is readily distinguishable and does not
govern here. The trial court properly denied defendant's motion for summary disposition based
on governmental immunity.
C. Jury Instructions
Defendant argues that this Court must reverse the jury verdict because the jury
instructions were erroneous as a matter of law. "This Court 'review[s] jury instructions in their
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entirety to determine whether the instructions given adequately informed the jury regarding the
applicable law reflecting and reflected by the evidentiary claims in the particular case.'" City of
Novi v Woodson, 251 Mich App 614, 630; 651 NW2d 448 (2002), quoting Rickwalt v Richfield
Lakes Corp, 246 Mich App 450, 459; 633 NW2d 418 (2001).
Defendant asserts that because plaintiffs' causes of action were improperly brought under
the CRA, and because defendant is governmentally immune from liability, the trial court's
instructions were erroneous as a matter of law. As we concluded above, plaintiffs' properly
brought their causes of action under the CRA, and defendant is not governmentally immune from
liability. As such, our review of the instructions reveals that the trial court properly instructed
the jury regarding the CRA. We conclude that defendant's assertion that the jury instructions
regarding the CRA were erroneous as a matter of law fails.
D. Remittitur
Defendant argues that the trial court clearly abused its discretion in denying defendant's
motion for remittitur because the amount awarded to plaintiffs in the jury's verdict was
outrageous and unsupported by the evidence. This Court reviews a trial court's decision to deny
a motion for remittitur for an abuse of discretion. Palenkas v Beaumont Hosp, 432 Mich 527,
531; 443 NW2d 354 (1989). Our Supreme Court explained in Palenkas:
[T]he question of the excessiveness of a jury verdict is generally one for
the trial court in the first instance. The trial court, having witnessed all the
testimony and evidence as well as having had the unique opportunity to evaluate
the jury's reaction to the proofs and to the individual witnesses, is in the best
position to make an informed decision regarding the excessiveness of the verdict.
Accordingly, an appellate court must accord due deference to the trial court's
decision and may only disturb a grant or denial of remittitur if an abuse of
discretion is shown. [Id.]
When reviewing a trial's court's decision regarding remittitur, this Court must view the evidence
in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party. Wiley v Henry Ford Cottage Hosp, 257
Mich App 488, 499; 668 NW2d 402 (2003). "An abuse of discretion exists where an
unprejudiced person, considering the facts on which the trial court made its decision, would
conclude that there was no justification for the ruling made." Szymanski v Brown, 221 Mich App
423, 431; 562 NW2d 212 (1997).
Defendant specifically argues that the jury award is obviously excessive and should be
set aside because the amount is greater than the highest amount the evidence will support.
Defendant admits that the evidence showed Witherspoon's behavior was sexually offensive and
that plaintiffs suffered "normal emotional distress as a result of one encounter," but points to the
fact that none of the plaintiffs ever had continuing care for emotional distress. Defendant
stresses that the evidence showed that all three plaintiffs had returned to their normal level of
functioning consistent with activities before the incidents.
In determining whether to grant a motion for remittitur a trial court must consider
whether the evidence supported the jury award. Henry v Detroit, 234 Mich App 405, 414; 594
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NW2d 107 (1999). The trial court's inquiry is limited to objective considerations regarding the
evidence presented and the conduct of the trial. Palenkas, supra at 532-533; Weiss v Hodge
(After Remand), 223 Mich App 620, 637; 567 NW2d 468 (1997). Remittitur is justified when a
jury verdict exceeds the highest amount the evidence will support. MCR 2.611(E)(1). When
determining whether an award is excessive, a court may consider whether the verdict was the
result of improper methods, prejudice, passion, partiality, sympathy, corruption, or mistake of
law or fact, whether it was within the limits of what reasonable minds would deem to be just
compensation for the injury inflicted, and whether the amount actually awarded is comparable to
other awards in similar cases. Palenkas, supra at 532-533. A verdict should not be set aside
simply because the method of computation used by the jury in assessing damages cannot be
determined, unless it is not within the range of evidence presented at trial. Green v Evans, 156
Mich App 145, 156-157; 401 NW2d 250 (1985).
This Court must accord the trial court due deference on this issue and only reverse if
"there was no justification for the ruling made." Szymanski, supra at 431. Defendant did not
allege any type of objective misconduct (i.e., that the verdict was the result of improper methods,
prejudice, passion, partiality, sympathy, corruption, or mistake of law or fact) and provided no
similar cases for comparison purposes. Palenkas, supra at 532-533. Absent any alleged
misconduct or similar cases for comparison, and because the record includes evidence that
plaintiffs suffered differing levels of depression and anxiety after the incidents, the trial court's
denial of remittitur was justified. We may not disturb the trial court's ruling given the trial
court's determination that the aggregate sum of $2.625 million was supported by the evidence.
Id.
V. Conclusion
Plaintiffs' claims fall within the ambit of the CRA, and the trial court correctly denied
defendant's motion for summary disposition on this basis. The trial court properly denied
defendant's motion for summary disposition based on governmental immunity. Since the
evidence adduced at trial only further supported plaintiffs' assertions of fact and arguments
during the summary disposition phase of trial, the trial court properly denied defendant's motions
for directed verdict and JNOV. A review of the instructions reveals that the trial court properly
instructed the jury regarding the CRA. Because there was evidence supporting plaintiffs'
individual claims, the trial court's denial of remittitur was justified and this Court may not disturb
the trial court's ruling.
Affirmed.
/s/ Pat M. Donofrio
/s/ Karen M. Fort Hood
/s/ Richard Allen Griffin
-12-
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