{ "id": 9439464, "name": "PATRICIA WARD, Plaintiff v. KRISTEN BEATON, Defendant", "name_abbreviation": "Ward v. Beaton", "decision_date": "2000-12-19", "docket_number": "No. COA99-1277", "first_page": "44", "last_page": "55", "citations": [ { "type": "official", "cite": "141 N.C. App. 44" } ], "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": "361 S.E.2d 608", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1987, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "612" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "87 N.C. App. 438", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 8358525 ], "year": 1987, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "445" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/87/0438-01" ] }, { "cite": "102 S.E. 769", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "year": 1920, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "771", "parenthetical": "ordering new trial where plaintiff received punitive damages for alienation of affections in case in which plaintiff did not make out criminal conversation" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "179 N.C. 426", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8656159 ], "year": 1920, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "431", "parenthetical": "ordering new trial where plaintiff received punitive damages for alienation of affections in case in which plaintiff did not make out criminal conversation" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/179/0426-01" ] }, { "cite": "400 S.E.2d 101", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1991, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "103", "parenthetical": "finding sufficient aggravating factors where defendant had sexual intercourse with plaintiff's wife, ignored plaintiffs request not to visit the marital home and laughed when plaintiffs wife told him that plaintiff knew of the relationship" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "101 N.C. App. 513", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 8527928 ], "year": 1991, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "517", "parenthetical": "finding sufficient aggravating factors where defendant had sexual intercourse with plaintiff's wife, ignored plaintiffs request not to visit the marital home and laughed when plaintiffs wife told him that plaintiff knew of the relationship" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/101/0513-01" ] }, { "cite": "407 S.E.2d 264", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1991, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "267", "parenthetical": "finding sufficient aggravating factors where defendant engaged in sexual intercourse with plaintiffs husband, as well as \"cohabited for several weeks with [him] and was audacious enough to call plaintiffs home in an attempt to discover [his] whereabouts\"" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "103 N.C. App. 739", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 8523333 ], "year": 1991, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "744", "parenthetical": "finding sufficient aggravating factors where defendant engaged in sexual intercourse with plaintiffs husband, as well as \"cohabited for several weeks with [him] and was audacious enough to call plaintiffs home in an attempt to discover [his] whereabouts\"" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/103/0739-01" ] }, { "cite": "312 S.E.2d 656", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1984, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "660" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "67 N.C. App. 1", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 8525481 ], "year": 1984, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "6" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/67/0001-01" ] }, { "cite": "96 S.E.2d 870", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1957, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "873" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "245 N.C. 592", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8615712, 8615773 ], "year": 1957, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "596" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/245/0592-01", "/nc/245/0592-02" ] }, { "cite": "297 S.E.2d 142", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1982, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "146" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "59 N.C. App. 458", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 8526708 ], "year": 1982, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "464" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/59/0458-01" ] }, { "cite": "146 S.E.2d 641", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1966, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "642", "parenthetical": "holding plaintiff's own testimony that her marriage was a good one sufficient to establish a marriage with love and affection" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "266 N.C. 622", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8562018 ], "year": 1966, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "623", "parenthetical": "holding plaintiff's own testimony that her marriage was a good one sufficient to establish a marriage with love and affection" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/266/0622-01" ] }, { "cite": "319 S.E.2d 268", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1984, "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "311 N.C. 399", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 4685671, 4687184, 4681304, 4680669, 4685246 ], "year": 1984, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/311/0399-01", "/nc/311/0399-05", "/nc/311/0399-03", "/nc/311/0399-02", "/nc/311/0399-04" ] }, { "cite": "265 S.E.2d 434", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "weight": 5, "year": 1980, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "436" }, { "page": "437" }, { "page": "438" }, { "page": "438" }, { "page": "438", "parenthetical": "affirming trial court's refusal to enter judgment on punitive damages; no evidence of sexual relations" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "46 N.C. App. 521", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 8551741 ], "weight": 5, "year": 1980, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "523" }, { "page": "525" }, { "page": "527" }, { "page": "526-27" }, { "page": "527" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/46/0521-01" ] }, { "cite": "313 S.E.2d 239", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "weight": 3, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "241" }, { "page": "243" }, { "page": "243", "parenthetical": "ordering on remand the trial court submit only to compensatory damages; no evidence of sexual relations" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "67 N.C. App. 397", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 8526469 ], "weight": 3, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "400" }, { "page": "403" }, { "page": "403" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/67/0397-01" ] }, { "cite": "162 S.E. 766", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "year": 1932, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "767" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "202 N.C. 358", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8626355 ], "year": 1932, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "361" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/202/0358-01" ] }, { "cite": "506 S.E.2d 267", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1998, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "270" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "131 N.C. App. 168", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 11198057 ], "year": 1998, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "172" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/131/0168-01" ] }, { "cite": "351 N.C. 356", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 1155561, 1155852, 1155855, 1155631, 1155579 ], "year": 2000, "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc/351/0356-01", "/nc/351/0356-03", "/nc/351/0356-04", "/nc/351/0356-02", "/nc/351/0356-05" ] }, { "cite": "514 S.E.2d 554", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "weight": 2, "year": 1999, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "558" }, { "page": "560", "parenthetical": "finding sufficient aggravating factors where defendant engaged in sexual relationship with plaintiffs husband, publically displayed the affair, welcomed him into her home numerous times and called plaintiffs home to determine his whereabouts" } ], "opinion_index": 0 }, { "cite": "133 N.C. App. 364", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 11219728 ], "weight": 2, "year": 1999, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "369" }, { "page": "371" } ], "opinion_index": 0, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/133/0364-01" ] }, { "cite": "102 S.E. 769", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.", "year": 1920, "opinion_index": 1 }, { "cite": "179 N.C. 426", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C.", "case_ids": [ 8656159 ], "year": 1920, "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/nc/179/0426-01" ] }, { "cite": "265 S.E.2d 434", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "year": 1980, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "438" } ], "opinion_index": 1 }, { "cite": "46 N.C. App. 521", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 8551741 ], "year": 1980, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "527" } ], "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/46/0521-01" ] }, { "cite": "313 S.E.2d 239", "category": "reporters:state_regional", "reporter": "S.E.2d", "weight": 2, "pin_cites": [ { "page": "243" } ], "opinion_index": 1 }, { "cite": "67 N.C. App. 397", "category": "reporters:state", "reporter": "N.C. App.", "case_ids": [ 8526469 ], "pin_cites": [ { "page": "403" } ], "opinion_index": 1, "case_paths": [ "/nc-app/67/0397-01" ] } ], "analysis": { "cardinality": 910, "char_count": 25253, "ocr_confidence": 0.755, "pagerank": { "raw": 3.144598024323099e-07, "percentile": 0.8622603093848329 }, "sha256": "f2e80fe568f3576ecd17f87057b866be15f603cbdf96f34fa0f2f1a47476134a", "simhash": "1:f38a6168de8d6d1a", "word_count": 4056 }, "last_updated": "2023-07-14T21:28:13.659098+00:00", "provenance": { "date_added": "2019-08-29", "source": "Harvard", "batch": "2018" }, "casebody": { "judges": [ "Judge HUNTER concurs", "Judge WALKER dissents." ], "parties": [ "PATRICIA WARD, Plaintiff v. KRISTEN BEATON, Defendant" ], "opinions": [ { "text": "LEWIS, Judge.\nPlaintiff Patricia Ward brought this action against defendant, Kristen Beaton, seeking compensatory and punitive damages for (1) alienation of affections, (2) criminal conversation and (3) intentional infliction of emotional distress. At the close of plaintiff\u2019s evidence, the court granted defendant\u2019s motion for directed verdict as to the criminal conversation and intentional infliction of emotional distress claims. The jury returned a verdict in favor of plaintiff on the alienation of affections claim and awarded plaintiff $52,000 in compensatory damages and $43,000 in punitive damages. Defendant made several post-trial motions, including a motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict pursuant to N.C.R. Civ. P. 50(b) and (c), a motion for new trial pursuant to N.C.R. Civ. P. 59(a)(9) and a motion for relief from the court\u2019s judgment pursuant to N.C.R. Civ. P. 60(b)(1), (2), (3) and (6). The trial court denied each of these motions. Defendant appeals from the court\u2019s final judgment and from the court\u2019s order denying relief pursuant to Rule 60(b).\nDefendant has assigned as error the trial court\u2019s denial of her motion for directed verdict on the issue of alienation of affections. On a defendant\u2019s motion for directed verdict, the trial court must determine whether the evidence, when considered in the light most favorable to the plaintiff, is sufficient to take the case to the jury. N.C.R. Civ. P. 50(a); Hutelmyer v. Cox, 133 N.C. App. 364, 369, 514 S.E.2d 554, 558 (1999), appeal dismissed, 351 N.C. 356, - S.E.2d - (2000). Where the trial court finds there is more than a scintilla of evidence supporting each element of the plaintiff\u2019s claim, the motion for directed verdict should be denied. Norman Owen Trucking v. Morkoski, 131 N.C. App. 168, 172, 506 S.E.2d 267, 270 (1998).\nTo survive a motion for directed verdict on a claim for alienation of affections, the plaintiff must present evidence to show: (1) that there was a marriage with love and affection; (2) that the love and affection was alienated and destroyed; and (3) that the wrongful and malicious acts of defendant produced the loss of love and affection. Hankins v. Hankins, 202 N.C. 358, 361, 162 S.E. 766, 767 (1932). The \u201cmalicious acts\u201d required have been defined as acts constituting \u201c \u2018unjustifiable conduct causing the injury complained of.\u2019 \u201d Chappell v. Redding, 67 N.C. App. 397, 400, 313 S.E.2d 239, 241 (quoting Heist v. Heist, 46 N.C. App. 521, 523, 265 S.E.2d 434, 436 (1980)), disc. review denied, 311 N.C. 399, 319 S.E.2d 268 (1984).\nPlaintiff testified that prior to 1998, plaintiff thought she and her husband had \u201cthe perfect marriage.\u201d (Tr. at 15.) Plaintiff also testified Mr. Ward was a \u201cgood husband\u201d to her and a \u201cgood father\u201d to his children. (Tr. at 19.) See, e.g., Litchfield v. Cox, 266 N.C. 622, 623, 146 S.E.2d 641, 642 (1966) (holding plaintiff\u2019s own testimony that her marriage was a good one sufficient to establish a marriage with love and affection). Plaintiff\u2019s evidence also tended to show that the love and affection that once existed between her and her husband was alienated and destroyed by defendant\u2019s conduct. Plaintiff began to notice a change in her husband\u2019s affections in the late spring of 1998, around the time her husband met defendant. During this time, plaintiff\u2019s husband began to \u201cdraw away\u201d from home and started missing evening meals with his family. (Tr. at 20-21.) As he was spending less time with plaintiff and his children, he began to spend an increasing amount of time with defendant.\nPlaintiff\u2019s husband, who at the time was working as a captain at the Mitchell County Sheriff\u2019s Department, first met defendant in \u201cearly 1998,\u201d when he responded to several reports of domestic disputes at her home. (Tr. at 45-46.) In June 1998, defendant began inviting plaintiff\u2019s husband to her home, and did so on numerous occasions by contacting him at work. On one occasion she arrived at the police station asking to speak to plaintiff\u2019s husband. The officers noticed she emanated a strong odor of alcohol, but she refused to take an alkasensor test and insisted that plaintiff\u2019s husband drive her home. The increasing amount of time that defendant and plaintiff\u2019s husband were spending together culminated in plaintiff\u2019s husband moving into defendant\u2019s home on 4 July 1998, where he stayed for about two weeks. The evidence indicated that a sexual relationship developed between the defendant and plaintiff\u2019s husband during this time.\nWe conclude this evidence was sufficient to overcome defendant\u2019s motion for directed verdict. However, the defendant maintains that absent any evidence that defendant \u201clured\u201d plaintiff\u2019s husband away, the evidence on the claim of alienation of affections could not be submitted to the jury. To the contrary, \u201cluring\u201d by the defendant is not required to sustain a claim for alienation of affections. Scott v. Kiker, 59 N.C. App. 458, 464, 297 S.E.2d 142, 146 (1982). A defendant need not even be the initiator in such a relationship, but must be only a willing participant, making occasions for a relationship to develop. Heist, 46 N.C. App. at 525, 265 S.E.2d at 437. In addition, the defendant maintains the Wards\u2019 marriage was strained before defendant entered the picture. Even so, the defendant\u2019s actions need not be the sole cause of the alienation. As long as her conduct was a \u201ccontrolling\u201d or \u201ceffective\u201d cause of the alienation, plaintiff may prevail even in the face of other contributing factors. Bishop v. Glazener, 245 N.C. 592, 596, 96 S.E.2d 870, 873 (1957). We find the evidence sufficient to suggest that the defendant was the effective cause of the alienation in this case.\nIn support of her Rule 60(b) motion for relief from judgment, the defendant submitted evidence of a consent order entering a divorce from bed and board between the plaintiff and her husband on 5 August 1998, the same day the complaint in this action was filed. This consent order relieved Mr. Ward of payment of alimony, post-separation support and child support. Defendant asserts on appeal that the findings in the consent order alleviating Mr. Ward of these responsibilities evidence a fraudulent scheme on the part of plaintiff and her husband in filing this claim for alienation of affections. Defendant contends the fraud indicated by the consent order required the trial court to direct a verdict in defendant\u2019s favor.\nFraud is an affirmative defense that must be specially pleaded. N.C.R. Civ. P. 8(c). Failure to plead an affirmative defense ordinarily results in waiver of the defense. Nationwide Mut. Insur. Co. v. Edwards, 67 N.C. App. 1, 6, 312 S.E.2d 656, 660 (1984). The parties may, however, still try the issue by express or implied consent. N.C.R. Civ. P. 15(b). Defendant neither pled nor tried the case on this theory, but only made it an issue in her post-trial motion for relief from judgment. Accordingly, she cannot now present it on appeal.\nDefendant also contends the trial court erred in submitting the issue of punitive damages to the jury. Defendant first contends plaintiffs demand for punitive damages did not comply with the requirements set forth in Rule 9(k) of the North Carolina Rules of Civil Procedure. Rule 9(k) states, \u201cA demand for punitive damages shall be specifically stated, except for the amount, and the aggravating factor that supports the award of punitive damages shall be averred with particularity.\u201d One of the following aggravating factors listed in N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 ID-15 must be established to recover punitive damages: (1) fraud, (2) malice or (3) willful or wanton conduct. In accordance with Rule 9(k), plaintiffs complaint averred both malice and willful and wanton conduct as the relevant aggravating factors under G.S. ID-15. Absent any additional requirement in the statute that the complaint state with particularity the circumstances underlying these factors, we find the pleadings in compliance with Rule 9(k).\nDefendant also challenges the sufficiency of the evidence to support the award of punitive damages based on malice or willful or wanton conduct. It is well settled that punitive damages may be awarded in an action for alienation of affections. Heist, 46 N.C. App. at 527, 265 S.E.2d at 438; see also N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 ID-1 (1999) (\u201cPunitive damages may be awarded, in an appropriate case ... , to punish a defendant for egregiously wrongful acts.\u201d). In order for the question of punitive damages to be submitted to the jury, however, there must be evidence of circumstances of aggravation beyond the proof of malice necessary to satisfy the elements of the tort to sustain a recovery of compensatory damages. Chappell v. Redding, 67 N.C. App. 397, 403, 313 S.E.2d 239, 243 (1984). Specific circumstances of aggravation include \u201cwillful, wanton, aggravated or malicious conduct.\u201d Heist, 46 N.C. App. at 526-27, 265 S.E.2d at 438; see also N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 ID-15 (1999).\nEvidence of \u201csexual relations\u201d will allow a plaintiff to get to the jury on the issue of punitive damages in a claim for alienation of affections. 1 Suzanne Reynolds, Lee\u2019s North Carolina Family Law, \u00a7 5.48(c) (5th ed. 1993); see also Hutelmyer v. Cox, 133 N.C. App. at 371, 514 S.E.2d at 560 (finding sufficient aggravating factors where defendant engaged in sexual relationship with plaintiffs husband, publically displayed the affair, welcomed him into her home numerous times and called plaintiffs home to determine his whereabouts); Jennings v. Lessen, 103 N.C. App. 739, 744, 407 S.E.2d 264, 267 (1991) (finding sufficient aggravating factors where defendant engaged in sexual intercourse with plaintiffs husband, as well as \u201ccohabited for several weeks with [him] and was audacious enough to call plaintiffs home in an attempt to discover [his] whereabouts\u201d); Shaw v. Stringer, 101 N.C. App. 513, 517, 400 S.E.2d 101, 103 (1991) (finding sufficient aggravating factors where defendant had sexual intercourse with plaintiff\u2019s wife, ignored plaintiffs request not to visit the marital home and laughed when plaintiffs wife told him that plaintiff knew of the relationship). On the other hand, plaintiffs who have failed to prove sexual relations have lost their claims for punitive damages. Cottle v. Johnson, 179 N.C. 426, 431, 102 S.E. 769, 771 (1920) (ordering new trial where plaintiff received punitive damages for alienation of affections in case in which plaintiff did not make out criminal conversation); Chappell, 67 N.C. App. at 403, 313 S.E.2d at 243 (ordering on remand the trial court submit only to compensatory damages; no evidence of sexual relations); Heist, 46 N.C. App. at 527, 265 S.E.2d at 438 (affirming trial court\u2019s refusal to enter judgment on punitive damages; no evidence of sexual relations); 1 Suzanne Reynolds, Lee\u2019s North Carolina Family Law, \u00a7 5.48(c) (5th ed. 1993J).\nWe find sufficient evidence of additional circumstances of aggravation justifying punitive damages here. The plaintiff presented evidence that the defendant and plaintiff\u2019s husband \u201chad sex\u201d at least two times. (Tr. at 55.) In addition, there was evidence of other aggravating circumstances. Specifically, after forming a sexual relationship with plaintiffs husband, the defendant accompanied him when he returned his children to the custody of the plaintiff. On a later date, the defendant appeared unannounced at the front door of the marital home, asking plaintiff if they could be friends. Again, about a week later, defendant arrived in the driveway of the marital home while plaintiffs husband was visiting his children, blowing the car horn for plaintiffs husband. The plaintiff walked outside and recognized the defendant, who subsequently drove away without Mr. Ward. We find this evidence of additional circumstances of aggravation sufficient to warrant submission of the punitive damages issue to the jury on plaintiffs claim for alienation of affections.\nDefendant also contends the court\u2019s jury instruction on punitive damages was confusing, but concedes that it was consistent with the North Carolina Pattern Jury Instructions. Specifically, defendant argues the proper considerations to be made by the jury are set forth in a disorganized manner, and thus did not meet the requirement that the judge explain the law. We have reviewed the court\u2019s instruction on punitive damages and find it to be entirely consistent with the provisions of Chapter ID of our general statutes, outlining the procedure for establishing and awarding punitive damages. Any simplified or shortened instruction would, in our opinion, violate the requirement that the judge instruct the jury on the law with respect to every substantial feature of the case. N.C.R. Civ. P. 51(a); Mosley & Mosley Builders v. Landin Ltd., 87 N.C. App. 438, 445, 361 S.E.2d 608, 612 (1987).\nDefendant next contends the court erred in admitting evidence of defendant\u2019s assets before the trier of fact determined that compensatory damages were warranted. Defendant argues this premature admission of evidence tainted the jury\u2019s verdict for compensatory damages. Plaintiff, on the other hand, maintains that defendant\u2019s failure to request a bifurcated trial on the issue of punitive damages under N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 ID-30 rendered this evidence admissible at any time during plaintiff\u2019s case-in-chief. We agree.\nIt is clear that evidence of a defendant\u2019s net worth may be considered by the jury in determining the amount of a punitive damages awaxd. N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 lD-35(i) (listing as a permissible factor to be considered \u201c[t]he defendant\u2019s ability to pay punitive damages, as evidenced by its revenues or net worth\u201d) N.C. Gen. Stat. \u00a7 ID-30 sets forth the procedural safeguard of bifurcation, stating:\nUpon the motion of a defendant, the issues of liability for compensatory damages and the amount of compensatory damages, if any, shall be tried separately from the issues of liability for punitive damages and the amount of punitive damages, if any. Evidence relating solely to punitive damages shall not be admissible until the trier of fact has determined that the defendant is liable for compensatory damages and has determined the amount of compensatory damages. The same trier of fact that tried the issues relating to compensatory damages shall try the issues relating to punitive damages.\n(Emphasis added.) The language of G.S. ID-30 makes clear that the defendant is not entitled to bifurcation until the defendant files such a motion. See also N.C.R. Civ. P. 42(b) (\u201cThe court may in furtherance of convenience or to avoid prejudice and shall for considerations of venue upon timely motion order a separate trial of any claim, cross-claim, counterclaim, or third-party claim, or of any separate issue or of any number of claims, crossclaims, counterclaims, third-party claims, or issues.\u201d) (Emphasis added). Because the defendant here failed to move for a bifurcated trial under the provisions of G.S. ID-30, evidence regarding her net worth was admissible at any time during plaintiffs case-in-chief.\nDefendant next contends the trial court\u2019s instruction on future damages was error. The defendant admits on appeal her failure to object to this instruction at trial. Accordingly, defendant is prohibited from raising this issue on appeal and we will not address it. N.C.R. App. P. 10(b)(2).\nWe have reviewed defendant\u2019s remaining assignment of error and find it to be without merit.\nAffirmed.\nJudge HUNTER concurs\nJudge WALKER dissents.", "type": "majority", "author": "LEWIS, Judge." }, { "text": "Judge Walker\ndissenting.\nI respectfully dissent from the majority opinion which affirms the judgment of the trial court.\nIn this case, Michael Ward was the \u201cstar\u201d witness for the plaintiff, although he testified he had been subpoened. He was the only witness to testify that he and defendant engaged in a sexual relationship, that defendant showed affection toward him, that he lived with defendant for about two weeks, that defendant received alimony and that defendant\u2019s father set up \u201cone or two million dollars\u201d for her. All of this testimony was denied by the defendant.\nAt the close of plaintiffs evidence, defendant moved for a directed verdict on the claims of alienation of affections and criminal conversation. The trial court allowed the motion as to the claim for criminal conversation stating that the plaintiff failed to produce \u201clegal and sufficient evidence the defendant committed the specific act of sexual intercourse required to show the existence of that tort.\u201d\nDefendant\u2019s motion pursuant to Rule 60(b)(l)(2)(3) and (6) sets forth the following in part:\n(1) On 23 July 1998, plaintiff filed an action against her husband, Michael Ward, alleging an adulterous relationship by Mr. Ward and that he abandoned plaintiff and the children (Ward v. Ward, 98 CVD 201).\n(2) On 6 August 1998, plaintiff filed a consent order in which she waived alimony and post-separation support and Mr. Ward was ordered to pay child support.\n(3) Immediately thereafter, on 6 August 1998, plaintiff filed this action (98 CVS 209).\n(4) Following the consent order, Michael Ward did not pay specified child support; however, plaintiff filed an affidavit excusing and explaining Mr. Ward\u2019s failure to pay.\n(5) Following the trial on 10 and 11 March 1999, defendant in this case discovered in the Ward v. Ward file plaintiff\u2019s statement releasing Michael Ward from paying $900.00 and a letter dated 26 March 1999 from plaintiff\u2019s counsel stating that plaintiff and Michael Ward had reconciled and plaintiff requested that her husband\u2019s child support obligation be terminated.\nDefendant argues that under Rule 60(b)(6), the judgment should be set aside because (1) extraordinary circumstances exist, and (2) justice demands that relief be granted. In support of her argument, defendant points to the sequence of events beginning with the filing of the action in Ward v. Ward on 23 July 1998 and ending with the reconciliation on 26 March 1999, which raises a question of whether plaintiff and Mr. Ward \u201cconnived\u201d or \u201ccolluded\u201d in pursuing these claims against defendant. I agree the highly unusual events in this case demand that a new trial be ordered on plaintiffs claim of alienation of affections and her entitlement, if any, to compensatory damages.\nAfter careful review, I conclude the evidence does not support an issue of punitive damages. In a similar case, this Court has held:\nIt is incumbent on the plaintiff to show circumstances of aggravation in addition to the malice implied by law from the conduct of defendant in causing the separation of plaintiff and her husband which was necessary to sustain a recovery of compensatory damages. Cottle v. Johnson, 179 N.C. 426, 102 S.E. 769 (1920). In the present case, the wrongful conduct of defendant in permitting plaintiffs husband to visit her at her residence with knowledge of the marital discord which these visitations produced and over plaintiffs protests was sufficient to establish the tort. However, we are of the opinion that plaintiff has not shown such circumstances of aggravation in addition to the above conduct of defendant to justify the submission of the punitive damage issue to the jury.\nHeist v. Heist, 46 N.C. App. 521, 527, 265 S.E.2d 434, 438 (1980).\nIn a later case, this Court further stated that punitive damages may be awarded where the defendant\u2019s conduct was willful, aggravated, malicious or of a wanton character. See Chappell v. Redding, 67 N.C. App. 397, 403, 313 S.E.2d 239, 243 (1984). There must be some circumstances of aggravation in addition to the malice implied by law from the conduct of a defendant in alienating the affection between the spouses, which is necessary to sustain compensatory damages. Id. Here, it is apparent that the jury was influenced by the prejudicial evidence from the Register of Deeds and Mr. Ward concerning the wealth of the defendant.\nThere is no evidence of aggravated conduct on the part of the defendant. The only aggravated conduct in this case was on the part of Mr. Ward when he admitted to having consumed alcoholic beverages before and during his visits at defendant\u2019s residence in July of 1998.\nIn sum, for the reasons stated, the judgment should be vacated and a new trial ordered on the plaintiffs claim of alienation of affections and her entitlement, if any, to compensatory damages.", "type": "dissent", "author": "Judge Walker" } ], "attorneys": [ "Harrison & Poore, P.\u00c1., by Hal G. Harrison, for the plaintiff - appellee.", "Ronald W. Howell, P.A., by Ronald W. Howell, for the defendant-appellant." ], "corrections": "", "head_matter": "PATRICIA WARD, Plaintiff v. KRISTEN BEATON, Defendant\nNo. COA99-1277\n(Filed 19 December 2000)\n1. Alienation of Affections\u2014 denial of directed verdict \u2014 sufficiency of evidence\nThe trial court did not err by denying defendant\u2019s motion for directed verdict on the claim for alienation of affections, because: (1) plaintiff presented evidence to show there was a marriage with love and affection and that defendant\u2019s conduct destroyed the marriage; (2) \u201cluring\u201d by defendant is not required to sustain this claim; (3) defendant need not be the initiator in such a relationship, but must be only a willing participant, making occasions for a relationship to develop; and (4) defendant\u2019s actions need not be the sole cause of the alienation as long as her conduct was a controlling or effective cause of the alienation.\n2. Fraud\u2014 affirmative defense \u2014 fraud\u2014failure to specially plead \u2014 waiver\nAlthough defendant contends the trial court erred in an action for alienation of affections by denying defendant\u2019s N.C.G.S. \u00a7 1A-1, Rule 60(b) motion for relief from judgment based on an alleged fraud, this issue was not preserved for appeal, because: (1) fraud is an affirmative defense that must be specially pleaded as required by N.C.G.S. \u00a7 1A-1, Rule 8(c), and failure to plead an affirmative defense results in waiver unless the parties try the issue by express or implied consent, N.C.G.S. \u00a7 1A-1, Rule 15(b); and (2) defendant neither pled nor tried the case on this theory, but only made it an issue in her post-trial motion for relief from judgment.\n3. Alienation of Affections\u2014 punitive damages \u2014 aggravating factors \u2014 sexual relationship \u2014 additional circumstances\nThe trial court did not err in an alienation of affections case by submitting the issue of punitive damages to the jury, because: (1) plaintiff complied with the requirement in N.C.G.S. \u00a7 1A-1, Rule 9(k) by averring both malice and willful and wanton conduct as the relevant aggravating factors under N.C.G.S. \u00a7 ID-15, and there is no requirement that the complaint state with particularity the circumstances underlying these factors; (2) evidence of \u201csexual relations\u201d will allow a plaintiff to get to the jury on the issue of punitive damages in a claim for alienation of affections, and plaintiff presented evidence that defendant and plaintiffs husband had sex at least two times; and (3) there was evidence of other aggravating circumstances including that after forming a sexual relationship with plaintiffs husband, defendant accompanied plaintiffs husband when he returned his children to the custody of plaintiff, defendant appeared unannounced at the front door of the marital home asking plaintiff if they could be friends, and defendant arrived in the driveway of the marital home while plaintiffs husband was visiting his children and defendant blew her car horn for plaintiffs husband.\n4. Alienation of Affections\u2014 jury instruction \u2014 punitive damages \u2014 consistent with pattern jury instruction\nAlthough defendant contends the trial court\u2019s jury instruction on punitive damages in an alienation of affections case was confusing, defendant concedes it was consistent with the North Carolina Pattern Jury Instructions, a review of the trial court\u2019s instruction reveals it was entirely consistent with the provisions of Chapter ID of our general statutes, and any simplified or shortened instruction would violate the requirement that the judge instruct the jury on the law with respect to every substantial feature of the case.\n5. Alienation of Affections\u2014 punitive damages \u2014 evidence of defendant\u2019s assets before determination of compensatory damages \u2014 failure to request bifurcated trial\nThe trial court did not err in an alienation of affections case by admitting evidence of defendant\u2019s assets before the trier of fact determined that compensatory damages were warranted when defendant did not request a bifurcated trial under N.C.G.S. \u00a7 ID-30, because: (1) evidence of a defendant\u2019s net worth may be considered by the jury in determining the amount of a punitive damages award, N.C.G.S. \u00a7 lD-35(i); and (2) defendant\u2019s failure to request a bifurcated trial on the issue of punitive damages under N.C.G.S. \u00a7 ID-30 rendered this evidence admissible at any time during plaintiff\u2019s case-in-chief.\n6. Appeal and Error\u2014 preservation of issues \u2014 instruction \u2014 failure to object\nAlthough defendant contends the trial court\u2019s instruction on future damages in an alienation of affections case was error, this issue is waived because defendant failed to object to this instruction at trial as required by N.C. R. App. P. 10(b)(2).\nJudge Walker dissenting.\nAppeal by defendant from order entered 14 June 1999 and judgment entered 28 June 1999 by Judge John M. Gardner in Mitchell County Superior Court. Heard in the Court of Appeals 12 September 2000.\nHarrison & Poore, P.\u00c1., by Hal G. Harrison, for the plaintiff - appellee.\nRonald W. Howell, P.A., by Ronald W. Howell, for the defendant-appellant." }, "file_name": "0044-01", "first_page_order": 74, "last_page_order": 85 }