{ "id": 8526593, "name": "ROBERT D. MURPHY v. SYLVIA J. GLAFENHEIN, Executrix of the Estate of HERBERT OTTO GLAFENHEIN, SR., Deceased; and BERNSTEIN HURST d/b/a/ HURST TRAILERS; and GENE MANNING d/b/a MANNING TRACTOR, TRUCK AND EQUIPMENT", "name_abbreviation": "Murphy v. Glafenhein", "decision_date": "1993-07-06", "docket_number": "No. 9224SC698", "first_page": "830", "last_page": "836", "citations": [ { "type": "official", "cite": "110 N.C. App. 830" } ], "court": { "name_abbreviation": "N.C. Ct. App.", "id": 14983, "name": "North Carolina Court of Appeals" }, "jurisdiction": { "id": 5, "name_long": "North Carolina", "name": "N.C." }, "cites_to": [ { "cite": "185 S.E.2d 247", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1971, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "250", "parenthetical": "law of the state where the collision occurs governs adjudication of plaintiff's claim" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "13 N.C. App. 19", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 8549877 ], "year": 1971, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "23", "parenthetical": "law of the state where the collision occurs governs adjudication of plaintiff's claim" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/13/0019-01" ] }, { "cite": "311 U.S. 457", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "U.S.", "case_ids": [ 6141572 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1940, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "463" }, { "page": "283" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/us/311/0457-01" ] }, { "cite": "326 U.S. 310", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "U.S.", "case_ids": [ 6157001 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1945, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "316", "parenthetical": "quoting Milliken v. Meyer, 311 U.S. 457, 463, 85 L. Ed. 278, 283 (1940)" }, { "page": "102", "parenthetical": "quoting Milliken v. Meyer, 311 U.S. 457, 463, 85 L. Ed. 278, 283 (1940)" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/us/326/0310-01" ] }, { "cite": "712 F. Supp. 1223", "category": "reporters:federal", "reporter": "F. Supp.", "case_ids": [ 7398852 ], "year": 1988, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "1226", "parenthetical": "citations omitted" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/f-supp/712/1223-01" ] }, { "cite": "231 S.E.2d 629", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1977, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "630-31", "parenthetical": "citation omitted" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "291 N.C. 674", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8558922 ], "year": 1977, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "676", "parenthetical": "citation omitted" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/291/0674-01" ] }, { "cite": "245 S.E.2d 782", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1978, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "784" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "36 N.C. App. 673", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 8555360 ], "year": 1978, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "677" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/36/0673-01" ] }, { "cite": "348 S.E.2d 782", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "weight": 2, "year": 1986, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "785" }, { "page": "787", "parenthetical": "\"a state has a 'manifest interest' in providing its residents with a convenient forum for redressing injuries inflicted by out-of-state actors\"" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "318 N.C. 361", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 4734507 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1986, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "364" }, { "page": "367" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/318/0361-01" ] }, { "cite": "394 S.E.2d 651", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "weight": 4, "year": 1990, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "654" }, { "page": "655-56", "parenthetical": "citations omitted" }, { "page": "656" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "99 N.C. App. 626", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 8524368 ], "weight": 3, "year": 1990, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "629" }, { "page": "632" }, { "page": "633" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/99/0626-01" ] } ], "analysis": { "cardinality": 692, "char_count": 14748, "ocr_confidence": 0.765, "pagerank": { "raw": 2.97026847055688e-07, "percentile": 0.8502431995069983 }, "sha256": "44ec3799a94d1d472202a2c41953e241262df8c5c135524ef668ddb4be2f77c5", "simhash": "1:83cf7577446a0b9e", "word_count": 2317 }, "last_updated": "2023-07-14T20:46:54.224272+00:00", "provenance": { "date_added": "2019-08-29", "source": "Harvard", "batch": "2018" }, "casebody": { "judges": [ "Judges JOHNSON and WYNN concur." ], "parties": [ "ROBERT D. MURPHY v. SYLVIA J. GLAFENHEIN, Executrix of the Estate of HERBERT OTTO GLAFENHEIN, SR., Deceased; and BERNSTEIN HURST d/b/a/ HURST TRAILERS; and GENE MANNING d/b/a MANNING TRACTOR, TRUCK AND EQUIPMENT" ], "opinions": [ { "text": "GREENE, Judge.\nDefendant Gene Manning d/b/a Manning Tractor, Truck and Equipment (Manning) appeals from an order filed on 23 March 1992, denying Manning\u2019s motions to dismiss plaintiffs complaint and defendant Sylvia J. Glafenhein\u2019s cross-claims on the grounds of lack of in personam jurisdiction and failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted.\nThe facts pertinent to this appeal are as follows: On 10 July 1989, Herbert Glafenhein (Mr. Glafenhein) purchased a trailer from defendant Manning\u2019s place of business in Sevierville, Tennessee. On 27 August 1989, Mr. Glafenhein, using the trailer which he had purchased from defendant Manning, began transporting a farm tractor from Clemmons, North Carolina, to his home in Sevierville, Tennessee. At approximately 9:40 that evening on Interstate 40 in McDowell County, North Carolina, Mr. Glafenhein collided with plaintiff. Mr. Glafenhein was killed in the accident.\nOn 21 February 1990, plaintiff filed a complaint in Yancey County, North Carolina, against Sylvia Glafenhein (Mrs. Glafenhein), the wife of Mr. Glafenhein and executrix of his estate. Plaintiff later amended his complaint to add Manning as a defendant, and Manning was served with a summons and amended complaint on 21 August 1991. Manning subsequently, pursuant to N.C.G.S. \u00a7 1A-1, Rule 12(b)(2) and (6), filed motions to dismiss the complaint as well as cross-claims asserted by Mrs. Glafenhein on the grounds of lack of personal jurisdiction and the claims\u2019 failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted.\nAt the hearing on Manning\u2019s motions held on 3 February 1992, the trial court considered the arguments of counsel, briefs, and the affidavits of Billie Delane, Ray Flowers, and Jerry King. With the consent of the parties, the trial court took the matter under advisement. Subsequently, the court, over Manning\u2019s objection, considered material offered by Mrs. Glafenhein\u2019s attorney, specifically, excerpts of depositions of Mrs. Glafenhein, Manning, and Manning\u2019s employee Jeff Sims (Sims), who had assisted Mr. Glafenhein with his purchase of the trailer. The deposition of Mrs. Glafenhein considered by the court was one taken during discovery in a case instituted prior to the instant case; those of Manning and Sims were taken during discovery in the instant case.\nOn 23 March 1992, the trial court filed an order denying Manning\u2019s motions to dismiss. In its order, the court made the following pertinent findings:\n2. Defendant Manning has operated a business in Sevierville, Tennessee, and at the time of the accident complained of operated that business for the sale of farm equipment and other vehicles, including trailers of this type. Sevierville is in Sevier County, Tennessee and is contiguous to the North Carolina border. The deceased, Herbert Glafenhein, purchased a trailer from Defendant Manning. The business operation of Manning included sales to North Carolina residents. . . . From the [affidavit of Billie Delane], the Court finds that the Manning business ordered on an irregular basis equipment from Gill Manufacturing in Charlotte, North Carolina. From the [affidavit of Ray D. Flowers], the Court finds that the Manning business was and has become a dealer of Befco, Inc. since February, 1990, and that the Manning business has made orders for equipment from Befco on a regular basis from the Rocky Mount factory of Befco. The Affidavit of Jerry King recites that Mr. Manning has purchased motor vehicles from King Auction & Realty Company in Fletcher, North Carolina, and records of sales are attached to that Affidavit.\nBased on these and other findings, the court concluded that \u201cthere are substantial contacts between Defendant Manning\u2019s business operation located in Tennessee and the State of. North Carolina to submit the Defendant Manning to the jurisdiction of this Court under N.C.G.S. [\u00a7 l-75.4(l)(d)] and the exercise of jurisdiction does not unconstitutionally violate due process of law.\u201d From this order, Manning appeals. See N.C.G.S. \u00a7 l-277(b) (1983) (\u201c[a]ny interested party shall have the right of immediate appeal from an adverse ruling as to the jurisdiction of the court over the person or property of the defendant\u201d).\nThe issues presented are whether the trial court\u2019s findings support its conclusion that the court may exercise personal jurisdiction over Manning pursuant to (I) North Carolina\u2019s long-arm statute; and (II) the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution.\nAs an initial matter, Manning contends that the trial court erred in considering, subsequent to the hearing on Manning\u2019s motion to dismiss and over his objection, excerpts of the depositions of Manning, Manning\u2019s employee Jeff Sims, and Mrs. Glafenhein. We, however, do not address the propriety of the trial court\u2019s actions in this regard because we need consider only the court\u2019s findings which are based on the evidence presented at the hearing, as well as the admissions in Manning\u2019s brief in support of his motions to dismiss, in order to determine whether the trial court properly found in personam jurisdiction.\nA two-part inquiry is required in order to determine whether a trial court may exercise personal jurisdiction over a nonresident defendant. Cherry Bekaert & Holland v. Brown, 99 N.C. App. 626, 629, 394 S.E.2d 651, 654 (1990). \u201c \u2018First, the transaction must fall within the language of the State\u2019s \u201clong-arm\u201d statute. Second, the exercise of jurisdiction must not violate the due process clause of the fourteenth amendment to the United States Constitution.\u2019 \u201d Id. (quoting Tom Togs, Inc. v. Ben Elias Indus. Corp., 318 N.C. 361, 364, 348 S.E.2d 782, 785 (1986)). The plaintiff has the burden of proving by a preponderance of the evidence the existence of grounds for the exercise of personal jurisdiction over the defendant. Gro-Mar Pub. Relations, Inc. v. Billy Jack Enters., Inc., 36 N.C. App. 673, 677, 245 S.E.2d 782, 784 (1978); see also 2A Moore\u2019s Federal Practice \u00a7 12.07[2.-2] (1993).\nI\nLong-Arm Statute\nManning argues that the trial court lacked statutory authority under the North Carolina long-arm statute to subject him to in personam jurisdiction.\nNorth Carolina\u2019s \u201clong-arm\u201d statute, N.C.G.S. \u00a7 1-75.4, provides that\n[a] court of this State having jurisdiction of the subject matter has jurisdiction over a person served in an action pursuant to Rule 4(j) or Rule 4(jl) of the Rules of Civil Procedure under any of the following circumstances:\n(1) Local Presence or Status. \u2014In any action, whether the claim arises within or without this State, in which a claim is asserted against a party who when service of process is made upon such party:\nd. Is engaged in substantial activity within this State, whether such activity is wholly interstate, intrastate, or otherwise.\nN.C.G.S. \u00a7 l-75.4(l)(d) (1983).\nOur Supreme Court, in construing subsection (l)(d) of North Carolina\u2019s long-arm statute, stated that\n[b]y the enactment of G.S. l-75.4(l)(d), it is apparent that the General Assembly intended to make available to the North Carolina courts the full jurisdictional powers permissible under federal due process. Thus, we hold that G.S. l-75.4(l)(d) applies to defendant and, statutorily, grants the courts of North Carolina the opportunity to exercise jurisdiction over defendant to the extent allowed by due process.\nDillon v. Numismatic Funding Corp., 291 N.C. 674, 676, 231 S.E.2d 629, 630-31 (1977) (citation omitted). In other words, when personal jurisdiction is alleged to exist pursuant to Section l-75.4(l)(d), \u201cthe question of statutory authorization \u2018collapses into the question of whether [the defendant] has the minimum contacts with North Carolina necessary to meet the requirements of due process.\u2019 \u201d Hanes Cos. v. Ronson, 712 F. Supp. 1223, 1226 (M.D.N.C. 1988) (citations omitted). Thus, we proceed directly to the constitutional issue.\nII\nDue Process Requirements\nManning argues that the exercise of personal jurisdiction in the instant case would be unconstitutional because he lacks the requisite minimum contacts with the State of North Carolina. We disagree.\nThe pivotal inquiry in determining whether the exercise of personal jurisdiction over a nonresident defendant comports with due process is whether the defendant has established \u201ccertain minimum contacts with [the forum state] such that maintenance of the suit does not offend \u2018traditional notions of fair play and substantial justice.\u2019 \u201d International Shoe Co. v. Washington, 326 U.S. 310, 316, 90 L. Ed. 95, 102 (1945) (quoting Milliken v. Meyer, 311 U.S. 457, 463, 85 L. Ed. 278, 283 (1940)). Although no single factor controls,\n[fjactors for determining the existence of minimum contacts include \u201c \u2018(1) quantity of the contacts, (2) nature and quality of the contacts, (3) the source and connection of the cause of action to the contacts, (4) the interest of the forum state, and (5) convenience to the parties.\u2019 \u201d In each case, it is essential that defendant purposely act to avail himself of \u201cthe privilege of conducting activities within the forum State, thus invoking the benefits and protections of its laws.\u201d Additionally, defendant\u2019s contacts with the forum state must be such that he or she \u201cshould reasonably anticipate being haled into court there.\u201d\nCherry, 99 N.C. App. at 632, 394 S.E.2d at 655-56 (citations omitted).\nBased on the findings of the trial court previously recited in this opinion, which are supported by the evidence in the record, Manning\u2019s contacts with North Carolina are adequate to meet the due process requirements associated with the exercise of personal jurisdiction. First, Manning has a number of contacts with North Carolina, including a business located near the North Carolina state line which caters in part to North Carolina residents, resulting in sales and deliveries of trailers and related equipment to North Carolina residents, and an established relationship with at least three North Carolina businesses. In fact, Manning at the time he was served with plaintiffs complaint had become a dealer for Befco, Inc., out of Rocky Mount, placing equipment orders from Befco to be shipped to him in Tennessee on a regular basis. \u201c \u2018[A] continuing contractual business relationship, not one or two isolated transactions,\u2019 is sufficient to establish in personam jurisdiction.\u201d Cherry, 99 N.C. App. at 633, 394 S.E.2d at 656.\nIn addition, North Carolina has an interest in adjudicating this dispute as plaintiff is a resident of this State, his alleged injuries occurred here, and North Carolina law governs his claims as well as the cross-claims asserted by Mrs. Glafenhein. See Tom Togs, 318 N.C. at 367, 348 S.E.2d at 787 (\u201ca state has a \u2018manifest interest\u2019 in providing its residents with a convenient forum for redressing injuries inflicted by out-of-state actors\u201d); White v. Vananda, 13 N.C. App. 19, 23, 185 S.E.2d 247, 250 (1971) (law of the state where the collision occurs governs adjudication of plaintiff\u2019s claim). Furthermore, the location of thirteen witnesses and evidence in North Carolina, as well as Manning\u2019s proximity to North Carolina, suggests that North Carolina is the most convenient forum in which to adjudicate the asserted claims. Finally, because Manning knowingly sold trailers to North Carolina residents and because he purposefully availed himself of the privilege of conducting business in North Carolina by voluntarily contracting for the purchase of equipment with North Carolina enterprises, Manning could reasonably anticipate being haled into court in this State.\nBased on the foregoing, the findings of the trial court support its exercise of personal jurisdiction over Manning, and his assignments of error in this regard are rejected.\nAffirmed.\nJudges JOHNSON and WYNN concur.\n. Although Manning appeals from the trial court\u2019s denial of both his Rule 12(b)(2) and Rule 12(b)(6) motions, Manning asserts no argument relating to the court\u2019s denial of the Rule 12(b)(6) motions. For this reason, and for the further reason that such denial is an interlocutory order not affecting a substantial right and is therefore not immediately appealable, see N.C.G.S. \u00a7 1A-1, Rule 54(b) (1990), we do not address the propriety of the trial court\u2019s denial of these motions.", "type": "majority", "author": "GREENE, Judge." } ], "attorneys": [ "Joseph A. Ferikes for plaintiff-appellee.", "Adams Kleemeier Hagan Hannah & Fonts, by Larry I. Moore, III, and Edward L. Bleynat, Jr., for defendant-appellee Sylvia J. Glafenhein, Executrix of the Estate of Herbert Otto Glafenhein, Sr., Deceased.", "Blue, Fellerath, Cloninger & Barbour, P.A., by John C. Cloninger and John C. Hensley, Jr., for defendant-appellant Gene Manning ' d/b/a Manning Tractor, Truck and Equipment." ], "corrections": "", "head_matter": "ROBERT D. MURPHY v. SYLVIA J. GLAFENHEIN, Executrix of the Estate of HERBERT OTTO GLAFENHEIN, SR., Deceased; and BERNSTEIN HURST d/b/a/ HURST TRAILERS; and GENE MANNING d/b/a MANNING TRACTOR, TRUCK AND EQUIPMENT\nNo. 9224SC698\n(Filed 6 July 1993)\nCourts \u00a7 14 (NCI4th)\u2014 Tennessee defendant \u2014 long-arm statute \u2014 due process\nWhen personal jurisdiction is alleged to exist pursuant to N.C.G.S. \u00a7 l-75.4(l)(d), the question of statutory authorization collapses into the question of whether the defendant has the minimum contacts with North Carolina neeessary to meet the requirements of due process. In this case, defendant Manning\u2019s contacts with North Carolina are adequate to meet the due process requirements associated with the exercise of personal jurisdiction in that Manning has a number of contacts with North Carolina, including a business located near the North Carolina state line which caters in part to North Carolina residents, resulting in sales and deliveries of trailers and related equipment to North Carolina residents,- and an established relationship with at least three North Carolina businesses; North Carolina has an interest in adjudicating this dispute in that plaintiff is a resident of this state, his injuries occurred here, and North Carolina law governs these claims; the location of evidence and thirteen witnesses in North Carolina, as well as Manning\u2019s proximity to North Carolina, suggests that North Carolina is the most convenient forum in which to adjudicate these claims; and Manning could reasonably anticipate being haled into court in North Carolina because he knowingly sold trailers to North Carolina residents and purposefully availed himself of the privilege of conducting business in North Carolina by voluntarily contracting for the purchase of equipment with North Carolina enterprises.\nAm Jur 2d, Courts \u00a7\u00a7 118, 119.\nAppeal by defendant Gene Manning d/b/a Manning, Tractor, Truck and Equipment from order filed 23 March 1992 in Yancey County Superior Court by Judge Beverly T. Beal. Heard in the Court of Appeals 27 May 1993.\nJoseph A. Ferikes for plaintiff-appellee.\nAdams Kleemeier Hagan Hannah & Fonts, by Larry I. Moore, III, and Edward L. Bleynat, Jr., for defendant-appellee Sylvia J. Glafenhein, Executrix of the Estate of Herbert Otto Glafenhein, Sr., Deceased.\nBlue, Fellerath, Cloninger & Barbour, P.A., by John C. Cloninger and John C. Hensley, Jr., for defendant-appellant Gene Manning ' d/b/a Manning Tractor, Truck and Equipment." }, "file_name": "0830-01", "first_page_order": 860, "last_page_order": 866 }