[Cite as Cruse v. Finley,

.]

IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF OHIO FOURTH APPELLATE DISTRICT LAWRENCE COUNTY

WENDELL L. CRUSE, : : Plaintiff-Appellant, : Case No: 12CA2 : v. : : DECISION AND MICHAEL FINLEY, : JUDGMENT ENTRY : Defendant-Appellee. : Filed: November 21, 2012

APPEARANCES:

Wendell L. Cruse, Huntington, WV, pro se Appellant.

Brigham M. Anderson, Ironton, Ohio, for Appellee.

Kline, J.:

{¶1} Wendell L. Cruse (hereinafter “Cruse”) appeals the judgment of the

Lawrence County Court of Common Pleas, which granted summary judgment in favor

Michael Finley (hereinafter “Finley”). On appeal, Cruse argues that the trial court erred

when it granted summary judgment on the basis of res judicata. We agree. Because

the municipal court did not enter a final appealable order in the prior case between

Cruse and Finley, the doctrine of res judicata cannot apply to the present case.

Therefore, we find that Finley is not entitled to judgment on the basis of res judicata.

We reverse the judgment of the trial court, and remand this cause to the trial court for

further proceedings consistent with this opinion.

I. Lawrence App. No. 12CA2 2

{¶2} Cruse rented an apartment from Finley. And on November 25, 2008,

Finley filed suit against Cruse in the Lawrence County Municipal Court. Finley

advanced two claims against Cruse: (1) a forcible-entry-and-detainer claim and (2) a

claim for unpaid rent. (Hereinafter, we will refer to the municipal-court proceedings as

the “Municipal Court Case.”) Apparently, Cruse was in jail when Finley filed the

November 25, 2008 complaint.

{¶3} In a December 16, 2008 judgment entry, the municipal court decided in

favor of Finley on the forcible-entry-and-detainer claim. Finley then retook possession

of the apartment, but the claim for unpaid rent remained unresolved.

{¶4} On January 8, 2009, Cruse filed his answer to Finley’s complaint. Cruse

alleged that, in retaking the apartment, Finley had obtained thousands of dollars worth

of Cruse’s personal property. As a result, Cruse requested that “any property removed

from 322 E. 4th Ave. Chesapeake, Ohio 45619 be held in storage at Defendant’s cost,

by the plaintiff, until Defendant can be released [from jail].” January 8, 2009 Answer at

4.

{¶5} The municipal court held a hearing on June 1, 2009. That same day, the

municipal court entered judgment in favor of Finley on the claim for unpaid rent. The

June 1, 2009 judgment entry does not, however, address Cruse’s personal-property

claims.

{¶6} On December 2, 2010, Cruse filed the present case against Finley. Cruse

once again alleged that Finley had unlawfully taken Cruse’s personal property when

Finley regained possession of the apartment. Lawrence App. No. 12CA2 3

{¶7} On January 25, 2012, Finley filed a motion for summary judgment. In

relevant part, Finley’s motion states the following: “[T]he plaintiff herein has previously

litigated the very issues presently before the court. In the prior eviction proceeding the

plaintiff herein, Wendell Cruse * * * asserted that the Defendant herein converted his

property. These are the same issues presently before the Court. * * * Therefore, this

case is barred by the doctrine of Res Judicata.”

{¶8} Eventually, the trial court granted summary judgment in favor of Finley. In

agreeing with Finley’s res-judicata argument, the trial court found the following:

“Defendant Finley’s argument that res judicata bars this Court from taking up the issues

of the Plaintiff Cruse’s personal property from this eviction situation is correct. * * *

Based upon the Court’s ruling as to res judicata, the Court will not proceed to also

discuss the issue of ‘uncontroverted facts and a secondary right to summary judgment.’”

February 9, 2012 Judgment Entry at 2-3.

{¶9} Cruse appeals and asserts the following assignment of error: “THE TRIAL

COURT ERRED IN RULING THAT RES JUDICATA BARRED THIS ACTION.”

II.

{¶10} In his sole assignment of error, Cruse contends that the trial court erred

when it granted summary judgment on the basis of res judicata.

{¶11} “Because this case was decided upon summary judgment, we review this

matter de novo, governed by the standard set forth in Civ.R. 56.” Comer v. Risko,

,

,

, ¶ 8. Summary judgment is

appropriate only when the following have been established: (1) that there is no genuine

issue as to any material fact; (2) that the moving party is entitled to judgment as a Lawrence App. No. 12CA2 4

matter of law; and (3) that reasonable minds can come to only one conclusion, and that

conclusion is adverse to the nonmoving party. Civ.R. 56(C). Accord Bostic v. Connor,

,

(1988); Grimes v. Grimes, 4th Dist. No.

08CA35,

, ¶ 14. In ruling on a motion for summary judgment, the court

must construe the record and all inferences therefrom in the opposing party’s favor.

Doe v. First United Methodist Church,

,

(1994).

{¶12} The burden of showing that no genuine issue of material fact exists falls

upon the party who moves for summary judgment. Dresher v. Burt,

,

(1996). However, once the movant supports his or her motion with

appropriate evidentiary materials, the nonmoving party “may not rest upon the mere

allegations or denials of the party’s pleadings, but the party’s response, by affidavit or

as otherwise provided in [Civ.R. 56], must set forth specific facts showing that there is a

genuine issue for trial.” Civ.R. 56(E). Accord

.

{¶13} “In reviewing whether an entry of summary judgment is appropriate, an

appellate court must independently review the record and the inferences that can be

drawn from it to determine if the opposing party can possibly prevail.”

.

“Accordingly, we afford no deference to the trial court’s decision in answering that legal

question.” Morehead v. Conley,

,

(4th

Dist. 1991). Accord

.

{¶14} The trial court granted summary judgment in favor of Finley solely on the

basis of res judicata. “Under the doctrine of res judicata, ‘a valid, final judgment

rendered upon the merits bars all subsequent actions based upon any claim arising out

of the transaction or occurrence that was the subject matter of the previous action.’” Lawrence App. No. 12CA2 5

Beneficial Ohio, Inc. v. Parish, 4th Dist. No. 11CA3210,

, quoting

Grava v. Parkman Twp.,

,

(1995). “Because res

judicata only applies to ‘valid, final judgments,’ an order must be final and appealable to

preclude further litigation of the issue.” Fifth Third Mtg. Co. v. Goodman Realty Corp.,

3d Dist. No. 5-08-30,

. See also Reed v. Morgan, 12th Dist. No.

CA2011-03-065,

, ¶ 9; Fairchilds v. Miami Valley Hosp., Inc.,

,

,

(2d Dist.).

“The party asserting res judicata must show the following

four elements: (1) there was a prior valid judgment on the

merits; (2) the second action involved the same parties as

the first action; (3) the present action raises claims that were

or could have been litigated in the prior action; and (4) both

actions arise out of the same transaction or occurrence.”

PNC Bank v. Richards, 10th Dist. No. 11AP-275, 2012-Ohio-

1610, ¶ 10, quoting Reasoner v. Columbus, 10th Dist. No.

04AP-800,

.

Finally, “‘[t]he applicability of res judicata is a question of law that is subject to de novo

review.’” Beneficial Ohio at ¶ 11, quoting Althof v. State, 4th Dist. No. 04CA16, 2006-

Ohio-502, ¶ 13.

{¶15} Here, we find that res judicata does not apply because the Municipal Court

Case lacks a final appealable order. Cruse asserted a counterclaim in his January 8,

2009 answer. This counterclaim remains pending, and the municipal court’s June 1,

2009 judgment entry does not satisfy Civ.R. 54(B). Lawrence App. No. 12CA2 6

{¶16} Civ.R. 54(B) provides the following:

When more than one claim for relief is presented in an action

whether as a claim, counterclaim, cross-claim, or third-party

claim, and whether arising out of the same or separate

transactions, or when multiple parties are involved, the court

may enter final judgment as to one or more but fewer than all

of the claims or parties only upon an express determination

that there is no just reason for delay.

“An order which adjudicates one or more but fewer than all the claims presented in an

action also must meet the requirements of Civ.R. 54(B) in order to be final and

appealable.” Oakley v. Citizens Bank of Logan, 4th Dist. No. 04CA25,

, citing Noble v. Colwell,

,

(1989), syllabus.

Accord Rice v. Lewis, 4th Dist. No. 11CA3451,

.

{¶17} Finley advanced two claims in the Municipal Court Case -- (1) a forcible-

entry-and-detainer claim and (2) a claim for unpaid rent. See generally Haney v.

Roberts,

,

(4th Dist. 1998) (explaining

that “a forcible entry and detainer action and a suit for damages arising from the

landlord-tenant relationship remain two distinct causes of action”). The municipal court

decided the forcible-entry-and-detainer claim on December 16, 2008, but Finley’s claim

for unpaid rent remained pending until June 1, 2009. Lawrence App. No. 12CA2 7

{¶18} On January 8, 2009, Cruse filed his answer to Finley’s complaint.1 Cruse

alleged that Finley

has obtained possession of over $10,000 worth of

defendant’s property, including but not limited to a brand

new living room suite, dining room suite and bedroom suite,

2 flat screen television sets and various electronic items,

including but not limited to, computers, two stereos and

various art and antique items. Plaintiff also has possession

of over $5,000 worth of defendant’s clothing. January 8,

2009 Answer at 3-4.

Cruse’s answer then requests “that the writ of restitution be rescinded or in the

alternative, this court order’s [sic] any property removed from 322 E. 4th Ave.

Chesapeake, Ohio 45619 be held in storage at Defendant’s cost, by the plaintiff, until

Defendant can be released [from jail].”

{¶19} After a liberal reading of Cruse’s January 8, 2009 Answer, we find that he

asserted a counterclaim for replevin.2 See Millennia Hous. Mgt. v. Johnson, 8th Dist.

1 It appears as though Cruse did not file his answer within 28 days of Finley’s November 25, 2008 complaint. See Civ.R. 12(A). Nevertheless, the municipal court did not grant Finley a default judgment on the claim for unpaid rent. See Civ.R. 55(A). Instead, the municipal court held a hearing and decided the unpaid-rent claim on the merits. Accordingly, we presume that the municipal court permitted Cruse’s January 8, 2009 Answer under Civ.R. 6(B)(2). See McGrath v. Bassett,

, 2011- Ohio-5666,

(8th Dist.). In any event, both Finley and Cruse make arguments that rely upon Cruse’s January 8, 2009 Answer being a valid part of the record in the Municipal Court Case. 2 In his January 9, 2009 answer, Cruse claimed that his personal property was worth more than $15,000. And in the present case, Cruse argues that res judicata should not apply because “a Municipal Court in Ohio does not have jurisdiction on a lawsuit claiming over $15,000.00 in damages.” Brief of Plaintiff-Appellant at 5. Cruse is correct Lawrence App. No. 12CA2 8

No. 96854,

(explaining that courts should liberally construe the

motions and pleadings of pro se litigants); Florkey v. Malott, 4th Dist. No. 11CA9, 2011-

Ohio-5199, ¶ 18 (construing a pro se plaintiff’s complaint in a liberal manner); see

generally Basinger v. York,

,

, ¶ 7 (4th Dist.) (defining

replevin). The municipal court, however, did not resolve Cruse’s counterclaim in the

June 1, 2009 judgment entry. And “[b]ecause the [June 1, 2009 judgment entry] failed

to adjudicate every claim and/or dispose of all parties, we must look to see if the

[municipal] court certified that there was no just reason for delay. A review of the

[municipal] court’s entry reveals that it did not.” Bumgarner v. Bumgarner, 4th Dist. No.

08CA21,

, ¶ 6. As a result, there is no final appealable order in the

Municipal Court Case.

{¶20} Because there is no final appealable order in the Municipal Court Case,

res judicata cannot apply to the present case. See Fifth Third Mtg. Co.,

. Therefore, the trial court erred when it granted summary judgment on the basis

of res judicata. Furthermore, because the trial court decided this case solely on the

basis of res judicata, we will not consider whether summary judgment may be

appropriate for another reason. “In light of the Ohio Supreme Court’s determination in

Murphy v. Reynoldsburg (1992),

,

, we, as an

appellate court, should not first consider an argument that the trial court did not

address.” Lang v. Holly Hill Motel, Inc., 4th Dist. No. 05CA6,

.

about the jurisdictional limit of a municipal court. See R.C.1901.17. However, because the property was not appraised under R.C. 1901.22(D), we cannot determine whether the trial court lacked jurisdiction over Cruse’s replevin counterclaim. See generally Mouser v. Ohio Historical Soc., 4th Dist. No. 78 CA 8,

, *2-3 (remanding an action to the municipal court “for the purpose of having the personal items at issue appraised”). Lawrence App. No. 12CA2 9

The Murphy court stated the following: “A reviewing court, even though it must conduct

its own examination of the record, has a different focus than the trial court. If the trial

court does not consider all the evidence before it, an appellate court does not sit as a

reviewing court, but, in effect, becomes a trial court.”

. Accordingly, we

offer no opinion as to whether summary judgment may be appropriate on other grounds.

{¶21} For the forgoing reasons, we find that the trial court erred in granting

summary judgment in favor of Finley. As a result, we sustain Cruse’s sole assignment

of error, reverse the trial court’s judgment, and remand this cause to the trial court for

further proceedings consistent with this opinion.

JUDGMENT REVERSED AND CAUSE REMANDED. Lawrence App. No. 12CA2 10

Harsha, J., concurring in judgment only:

{¶22} Cruse’s January 8, 2009 “answer” filed in the municipal court case alleges

conversion by Finley of over $15,000 worth of personal property. Even if we consider

the “answer” to include a counterclaim, those allegations on their face exceed the

jurisdictional limit of the municipal court. Because the court had no jurisdiction, it did not

have to address the part of the answer/counterclaim that was a nullity. So, there is no

final appealable order issue in my view.

{¶23} However, because the municipal court did not and could not address the

replevin/conversion issue, there can be no res judicata preclusion based on that case. Lawrence App. No. 12CA2 11

JUDGMENT ENTRY

It is ordered that the JUDGMENT BE REVERSED AND THIS CAUSE BE REMANDED to the trial court for further proceedings consistent with this opinion. Appellee shall pay the costs herein taxed.

The Court finds that there were reasonable grounds for this appeal.

It is ordered that a special mandate issue out of this Court directing the Lawrence County Common Pleas Court to carry this judgment into execution.

A certified copy of this entry shall constitute the mandate pursuant to Rule 27 of the Rules of Appellate Procedure. Exceptions.

Harsha, J.: Concurs in Judgment Only with Opinion. McFarland, J.: Dissents.

For the Court

BY:_____________________________ Roger L. Kline, Judge

NOTICE TO COUNSEL

Pursuant to Local Rule No. 14, this document constitutes a final judgment entry and the time period for further appeal commences from the date of filing with the clerk.