Donald F. Carabine v. Oliver Degravelle, Jr.

STATE OF LOUISIANA
COURT OF APPEAL, THIRD CIRCUIT

08-1286

DONALD F. CARABINE
[AND] ELLEN LELEUX CARABINE

VERSUS

OLIVER DEGRAVELLE, JR.
[AND] GENE SCHEXNAYDER

************

APPEAL FROM THE
SIXTEENTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT COURT
PARISH OF IBERIA, NO. 91789-A
HONORABLE GERARD B. WATTIGNY, DISTRICT JUDGE

************

JAMES T. GENOVESE
JUDGE

************

Court composed of Ulysses Gene Thibodeaux, Chief Judge, Billy H. Ezell, and James
T. Genovese, Judges.

AFFIRMED.

Michael D. Lopresto
203 West Main Street, Suite 200
New Iberia, Louisiana 70560
(337) 367-3561
COUNSEL FOR DEFENDANTS/APPELLANTS:
Oliver DeGravelle, Jr. and Gene Schexnayder

Carl S. Jolivette
The Law Office of Carl S. Jolivette, L.L.C.
209 French Street, Suite A
Post Office Box 9745
New Iberia, Louisiana 70562
(337) 381-0642
COUNSEL FOR PLAINTIFFS/APPELLEES:
Donald F. Carabine and Ellen Leleux Carabine

GENOVESE, Judge.

Defendants, Oliver DeGravelle, Jr. (DeGravelle), and Gene Schexnayder

(Schexnayder), appeal the judgment of the trial court finding them in contempt of

court, awarding Plaintiffs, Donald F. Carabine and Ellen Leleux Carabine (the

Carabines), $15,000.00 in damages, issuing a permanent injunction against

Defendants, and casting them with costs of court. For the reasons set forth below, we

affirm the trial court’s judgment in its entirety.

PROCEDURAL HISTORY

On August 9, 2007, Mr. and Mrs. Carabine filed a Motion for Contempt,

Injunctive Relief, Damages, and Attorney Fees (hereinafter referred to as “contempt

motion”) with the trial court as part of their ongoing lawsuit against DeGravelle and

Schexnayder. In their contempt motion, Plaintiffs alleged that the only access to their

home was via a sixty-foot-wide right-of-way and passage across Defendants’

properties. Plaintiffs alleged that, since they purchased the property in 1996, they

have had consistent and unending problems with Defendants harassing, intimidating,

and threatening them, and interfering with their daily lives.

Plaintiffs’ contempt motion set forth pertinent provisions of a Stipulated

Judgment which Plaintiffs and Defendants entered into on November 13, 2006:

h. Both parties are permanently enjoined from interfering with the
other’s right of passage down the roadway, or obstructing any
party from passage in any way;

i. Each party is prohibited from obstructing the sixty foot right-of-
way, or harassing anyone using the right-of-way;

j. Each party is prohibited from interfering with anyone using the
right-of-way who is a party to the right-of-way agreement, or a
family member, agent, or invitee of a party to the right-of-way
agreement; and

1

....

n. All obstructions to the roadway[,] including the home, the oak
tree and signs, must be removed by [D]efendants and remediated
to its intended purpose at their costs[.]

Plaintiffs claimed Defendants had committed contempt of court by violating

the November 13, 2006 Stipulated Judgment through the following actions: (1) by

failing to remove signs located at the entrance of the right-of-passage and on either

side of the roadway; (2) by DeGravelle continuing to stop and harass vehicles passing

on the right-of-way, including Plaintiffs’ son, daughter, visitors, waste management

vehicles, and even a veterinarian, for the purpose of complaining about speeding and

inquiring why the vehicles were there; (3a) by DeGravelle stopping waste

management vehicles using the right of passage to reach Plaintiffs’ property and

telling the drivers that it is “his private property;” (3b) by DeGravelle frequently

calling the waste management companies and threatening lawsuits if the companies,

for any reason, send another truck down his “private road;” and (4) by Schexnayder,

despite being responsible for the maintenance of the non-roadbed portion of the right-

of-passage, creating a danger of damage to vehicles en route to and from Plaintiffs’

home by allowing the trees on the non-roadway right-of-passage between

Schexnayder’s and Plaintiffs’ to become overgrown and grossly overhang the

roadway to the point where the foliage brushes vehicles using that portion of the

roadway. Plaintiffs further alleged that Schexnayder threatened them with calling the

sheriff, filing lawsuits, or violence for trespassing whenever Plaintiffs attempt to

correct the problem. Based on these allegations of contempt, Plaintiffs urged the trial

court to find Defendants in contempt of court, to grant their requested injunction, to

award them reasonable attorney fees, and to impose a jail sentence on Defendants.

2

The matter went to trial on February 21-22, 2008. On April 18, 2008, the trial

court issued written reasons for judgment, and, on May 6, 2008, the trial court signed

a judgment as follows:

IT IS ORDERED, ADJUDGED AND DECREED that
[D]efendants’ Rule for Contempt, Injunctive Relief and Attorney Fees,
filed on August 30, 2007[,] is hereby dismissed at [D]efendants& costs.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, ADJUDGED AND DECREED
that [D]efendants, Oliver DeGravelle and Gene Schexnayder, are hereby
found to be in contempt of court for the willful disobedience of this
[c]ourt’s lawful order and are each sentenced to serve sixty (60) days in
the parish jail. Thirty days of the sentence shall be suspended upon the
condition that neither [D]efendant violates any orders of this [c]ourt in
the future, relative to the Stipulated Judgment, rendered on November
13, 2006[,] and this judgment. Each [D]efendant will serve thirty (30)
days in the parish jail.

Defendants now appeal, alleging insufficiency of the evidence presented to

support their convictions. For the following reasons, we affirm Defendants’

convictions.

Criminal Contempt in a Civil Matter

Whether a contempt proceeding is criminal or civil depends on whether the

penalty is punishment or preventative:

A contempt of court proceeding is either criminal or civil, which
is determined by what the court primarily seeks to accomplish by
imposing sentence. In a criminal contempt proceeding, the court seeks
to punish a person for disobeying a court order, whereas in a civil
contempt proceeding, the court seeks to force a person into compliance
with a court order.

Dauphine v. Carencro High School, 02-2005, pp. 14-15 (La. 4/21/03), 843 So.2d

1096, 1107 (citations omitted). When the trial court imposed the non-suspended

portion of the sentence, thirty days in jail, it was punishing Defendants for disobeying

a court order, not forcing compliance therewith. Thus, Defendants’ contempt

adjudication is, at least in part, a criminal contempt, and criminal contempt is a

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crime.1 Id.

Statement of Facts

The trial court wrote detailed Reasons for Judgment setting forth the following

pertinent factual findings which we adopt as relevant to its finding of criminal

contempt:

Motion for Contempt: The Carabines claim that [D]efendants,
DeGravelle/Schexnayder, are in contempt of the . . . Stipulated
Judgment, which was signed November 13, 2006 . . . .

....

A court judgment[,] which includes a permanent injunction[,]
already exists against all parties that prohibits them from stopping,
obstructing, or interfering with anyone using the right-of-passage. The
Carabines requested an immediate injunction, ex parte, in order to
maintain the status quo until the hearing on the above matters, enjoining
and prohibiting any party from stopping any vehicle, including but not
limited to, vehicles from Allied Waste Services, or any other waste
service company contracted by the Carabines. (An Order was signed
September 21, 2007, which issued a TRO against DeGravelle and
Schexnayder, prohibiting them from stopping or harassing any vehicles,
and from harassing the Carabines or going near their residence. The
Carabines furnished security in the amount of $10,000.) However, the
TRO expired ten (10) days later because it was not extended.

....

The Carabines also ask that DeGravelle/Schexnayder be punished for
their contempt to the fullest extent of the law.

....

1
Louisiana Revised Statutes 13:4611 provides, in pertinent part:

Except as otherwise provided for by law:

(1) The supreme court, the courts of appeal, the district courts, family courts,
juvenile courts and the city courts may punish a person adjudged guilty of a contempt
of court therein, as follows:

....

(b) For disobeying or resisting a lawful restraining order, or preliminary or
permanent injunction, by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars, or by
imprisonment for not more than six months, or both.

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C. STIPULATED JUDGMENT

Interfering with the other’s right-of-passage[,] harassing anyone
using the right of way[, and] interfering with anyone using the right-of-
way who is a party to the right-of-way agreement, or a family member,
agent, or invitee of a party to the right-of-way agreement[,] is prohibited
by the previous [s]tipulation and [j]udgment.

Ms. Carabine testified that Oliver DeGravelle has stopped people
coming to their residence, including the veterinarian who comes to take
care of their animals and various garbage pick-up employees who come
to pick up their waste. This she asserts is in violation of the Stipulated
Judgment (Plaintiffs’ Exhibit #8).

Chris Dupuis, a Veterinarian, testified that he provides services
to the Carabines on a regular basis for their animals. He testified that he
has been stopped by both Oliver DeGravelle and Gene Schexnayder. In
March or April of 2007, he went out to the property to service the
animals of the Carabines. When he was exiting the property of the
Carabines, on the right-of-passage, he was stopped by DeGravelle and
Schexnayder. They flagged him down and asked him what he was doing
on the right-of-passage. He explained to them he was servicing the
animals of the Carabines. He further testified that he has been stopped
five (5) or six (6) times before by the two of them for inquisition. He
testified that he has had the same vehicle for the last three (3) years and
therefore, they know his vehicle and would know that he is the same
person who is a Veterinarian that has been servicing these horses. He
testified that they stopped him and did the same inquiry in March or
April of 2007. He testified that they did not speak to him about any
speeding and did not tell him anything about speeding. The purpose of
their flagging him down was to discuss what he was doing on the right-
of-passage and at the residence of the Carabines.

Britney LeBlanc, a 17 year old friend of Shaina LeBlanc, testified.
Shaina LeBlanc is 18 years old and lives with the Carabines. Britney
testified that she is friendly with Shaina and often goes to the residence
of the Carabines to visit with Shaina and/or pick her up. She stated that
she was going to Shaina’s house in 2007[,] and Mr. DeGravelle was on
the driveway at his residence. He was flagging her to stop. It was not
in a friendly manner[,] and she was scared. She testified that she was
not speeding. She had a call to her residence that same day by the police
concerning her speeding. That message was left on her answering
machine. She further testified that DeGravelle has tried to wave her
down and stop her a few times other than on that occasion. On the
March 7, 2007 incident, she was alone and was afraid to stop for
DeGravelle.

Shaina LeBlanc testified that in 2008, when she was traversing on

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the right-of-passage, DeGravelle came out of his house and was starring
[sic] her down. She testified that she was not speeding and that she was
following the speed limit. She testified that on another occasion, she
was riding with a friend[,] and DeGravelle came out and starred [sic]
them down, even though they were not speeding. She feels intimidated
by DeGravelle.

Eddie Romero, an Iberia Parish Government employee, testified.
During 2007, he went on the right-of-passage to the property of the
Carabines to spray a drainage ditch of Iberia Parish [sic]. He was in a
pick-up truck with a trailer carrying a spray tank. The pick-up had the
Iberia Parish Council logo displayed thereon. Over the last year,
DeGravelle has stopped him twice and asked him what he was doing on
the right-of-passage and the property of the Carabines. On another
occasion, DeGravelle called the boss of Eddie Romero and complained
that Eddie Romero was speeding on the right-of-passage.[2] Eddie
Romero testified that every time he goes on the right-of-passage to the
back to spray the government drainage ditch near the property of the
Carabines, DeGravelle stops him. DeGravelle makes an inquiry of him
as to his business each time that he is stopped.

Trevor Ash, the Operations Manager for Waste Management,
testified. He testified that through [sic] Waste Management, he
contracted with the Carabines for a commercial dumpster at their
residence. He testified that Oliver DeGravelle called Waste
Management and told Waste Management that this was a private road
and that Waste Management could not go down the road.[3] As a result,
they stopped service to the Carabines. The Carabines had a two[-]yard
dumpster. After the call by DeGravelle stating that it was a private road
which he owned, then Waste Management would no longer go on the
right-of-passage without having everyone along the road sign a property
damage waiver. As a result of the action of DeGravelle, and thereafter
DeGravelle and Schexnayder, the Carabines were deprived of the
services of Waste Management.

Richard Brown, Jr., of Allied Waste, testified. Mr. Brown
testified that he sold a contract to the Carabines in May of 2007. After
he sold the pick-up contract to the Carabines, Oliver DeGravelle called
Allied Waste and told them that it was a private road and that they were
not allowed to go back to the property of the Carabines. Allied Waste[,]
therefore[,] terminated their services on June 4, 2007. Prior to the
termination of service, the dumpster had been delivered to the residence

2
Mr. Romero denied speeding; he asserted that he had been barely moving.
3
Waste Management was informed it was a private road “they” owned, and DeGravelle did
not want the trucks going down it. On cross-examination, Mr. Ash stated that Defendants did not
tell Waste Management it could not use the road; instead, they told the company they did not want
it using the road.

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of [the] Carabine[s] for Allied Waste to service. Mr. Brown also
identified Plaintiff[s’] Exhibit #D-3, a and b, which show the signs that
say it is a private road. [When DeGravelle called, he] questioned Brown
about the weight of the truck. DeGravelle called Allied Waste on
several occasions requesting that [it] remove the containers or dumpsters
of the Carabines because they did not have permission to use the private
road. Mr. Brown testified that the dumpster was removed because
DeGravelle kept calling about removing the dumpster and not using the
private road. He and DeGravelle had at least three (3) conversations
concerning this. DeGravelle also inquired of him as to the times that the
service trucks would go out to the property of the Carabines to service
them.

Daniel Naquin, the Director of Operations for [Southwest
Disposal, Incorporated (SWDI)], testified. [SWDI] is an operation
similar to Waste Management and Allied Waste. [SWDI] does
commercial service for garbage in Iberia Parish. [SWDI] had a contract
with the Carabines. On December 18, 2007, [Mr. Naquin testified that]
he had a call from Oliver DeGravelle about a [SWDI] truck that
DeGravelle contended ran over part of his driveway[,] and DeGravelle
inquired about the company policy as to damage to property.
DeGravelle subsequently obtained a temporary restraining order the next
day. DeGravelle said the problem was with the trucks going back to the
property of the Carabines. [SWDI] was supplying a two[-]yard
dumpster. Upon [DeGravelle obtaining the] temporary restraining order
. . . against [SWDI], [SWDI] stopped its service.[4] This was seven (7)
months after the Stipulated Judgment on November 13, 2006. See
Plaintiffs’ Exhibit #8.

Ellen Carabine testified that Gene Schexnayder stopped the waste
pick-up. However, she was not more specific and whatever interference
this resulted in was not made clear to the court.

Donald Carabine testified that they had a dumpster for two years
before the interferenc[e] by DeGravelle. They have animals, feed
bags[,] and trash to dispose of every week and need the use of the
dumpster. If the Carabines have to go to the public road for the pick-up
because the waste companies cannot use the right-of-passage to the
residence of the Carabines, it is about one-half (1/2) mile from their
residence. This creates a lot of extra work and toil for them to bring all
of their refuse to the public road one-half (1/2) mile away. The abuse by
DeGravelle and Schexnayder was so bad that it was necessary for the
Carabines to obtain a temporary restraining order on August 3, 2007. In

4
The trial transcript shows that Plaintiffs obtained the restraining order against Defendants,
and Mr. Naquin did not testify SWDI stopped service once they were informed about the restraining
order; instead, SWDI requested DeGravelle submit his request in writing. However, the Carabines
testified SWDI called at the end of December to cancel the contract because DeGravelle had called
SWDI.

7

order to obtain the temporary restraining order, they were required to
deposit $10,000.00 as security. The restraining order provided that
Oliver DeGravelle, Jr. and Gene Schexnayder were not to stop, prevent,
or harass any vehicle, including any vehicle from any waste
management or garbage pick-up service, [from] traveling along the sixty
(60’) foot right-of-passage and going to the property of the Carabines.
Unfortunately for the Carabines, their temporary restraining order was
not extended[,] and a permanent injunction has not yet been issued[,] so
the temporary restraining order expired on August 13, 2007. Oliver
DeGravelle and Gene Schexnayder were served with the temporary
restraining order and knew of the complaint of the Carabines. On
December 18, 2007, Oliver DeGravelle called the Director of [SWDI]
Waste Management concerning the policy as to damaging of his
driveway within the sixty (60’) foot right-of-passage. DeGravelle went
so far as to get a temporary restraining order the next day against
[SWDI]. DeGravelle told Daniel Naquin of [SWDI] that the trucks
would have to be responsible for damages to the right-of-way or any
other property if they wanted to continue to the residence of the
Carabines. [SWDI] had a two[-]yard dumpster contracted to the
Carabines. The testimony of DeGravelle asserted that in fact, the paved
driveway of DeGravelle extends out into the sixty (60’) foot right-of-
passage. His complaint of the [SWDI] truck running over part of his
paved driveway is as [sic] to that portion of his paved driveway
encroaching upon and within the sixty (60’) foot right-of-passage.
However, this did not stop DeGravelle from calling [SWDI] and raising
questions as to their truck damaging his property[, thereby] causing a
problem for [SWDI] in using the right-of-passage. Donald Carabine
testified that it was necessary for them to incur the expense of an
attorney for the temporary restraining order and post the bond in order
for them to have trash pick-up.

Donald Carabine testified that Gene Schexnayder had stopped
Waste Management. Donald Carabine also testified that Kentwood
Water delivers water to their premises, as well as United Postal Service
(UPS), but they have stopped as a result of the actions of DeGravelle
and Schexnayder. Donald Carabine testified that all of this has
interrupted their lives and embarrassed them. It has also made their
lives difficult by having garbage pick-up and deliveries stopped.

Oliver DeGravelle testified that he in fact called Trevor Ash with
Waste Management. He advised Mr. Ash that their large garbage truck
was damaging the road and that they were on private property.
DeGravelle testified that[,] thereafter[,] Waste Management pulled the
contract.

Oliver DeGravelle also testified that he called Richard Brown,
with Allied Waste, [formerly BFI,] about the liability of Allied Waste
for any damage to the private road. DeGravelle testified that when

8

Brown found out that this was a private road, Allied Waste pulled the
contract with the Carabines. DeGravelle testified that he did not want
the trucks on the right-of-passage unless he had some contract or
indication from Allied Waste that they would pay for any damage to the
private road.

Oliver DeGravelle testified that he spoke to Daniel Naquin with
[SWDI] about their use of the private road and damage to the private
road and that the truck had passed on his paved driveway. He told them
that in case the cement was broken, he wanted them to be responsible.
As a result thereof, [SWDI] indicated that they needed a letter from the
property owners about the legal status of the right-of-passage.
DeGravelle admitted that his concrete driveway goes out into the right-
of-way and butts up on the limestone[,] and that is where the truck
passed and left track marks on his concrete. DeGravelle is admitting
here that his concrete encroaches upon the sixty (60’) foot right-of-
passage, even to the point where it abuts the limestone provided for
passage. DeGravelle testified that as a result of his contacts, Waste
Management and BFI requested that the property owners sign damage
waivers in order for them to service the Carabine property. DeGravelle
testified that he and Gene Schexnayder will not sign the damage waivers
to the road and that the Carabines will have to haul their garbage to the
highway a half (1/2) mile from their property.

DeGravelle further testified that he sees vehicles going down the
right-of-passage on a weekly basis. He testified that he stops these
vehicles to determine what they are there for and where they are going.
DeGravelle further testified that he stops most vehicles that come down
the right-of-passage unless he recognizes the vehicle and questions the
drivers as to where they are going and their purpose.

The above testimony and documents in evidence establish[] that
there is a predial servitude of passage over sixty (60’) feet of the
property owned by Gene Schexnayder. The testimony of Oliver
DeGravelle also establishes a right-of-passage on his property of sixty
(60’) feet. These servitudes are for the benefit of the Carabine property.
The predial servitudes are established by title[,] and the use and extent
of the servitudes [are] regulated by the title by which they are created.
Plaintiffs’ Exhibit #1 indicates therein that the servitude of passage from
Rue de Gravelle to the subject property is sixty (60’) feet in width.
Therefore, under the law, the Carabines have a right-of-passage to Rue
de Gravelle of sixty (60’) feet in width. See: Keeley v. Schexnailder,
708 So.2d 838 (3rd Cir., 1998); La. C. C. Art. 697; Ogden v. Bankston,
398 So.2d 1037 (La. 1981). Likewise, when the title provides the exact
dimensions of the area affected by the servitude, the title is not silent as
to the extent of the servitude. See: Keeley v. Schexnailder, supra[,] and
Red River v. Noles, 406 So.2d 294 (3rd Cir., 1981). The owners of the
servient estate (DeGravelle and Schexnayder) may do nothing tending

9

to diminish or make more inconvenient the use of the servitude. La. C.
C. Art. 748; Keeley v. Schexnailder, supra.

There is no question that the servitude of passage in favor of the
Carabines is sixty (60’) feet wide.

Plaintiffs’ Exhibit #14 is the order granting the temporary
restraining order against DeGravelle and Schexnayder prohibiting them
from stopping, preventing, or harassing any vehicle, including any
vehicles from any waste managment or garbage pick-up service,
traveling along the sixty (60’) foot right-of-passage and going to the
property of the Carabines. Although this temporary restraining order
expired on August 13, 2007, since DeGravelle and Schexnayder were
served with the proceedings, they certainly were put on notice of their
interference with the Carabines’ contracts for waste disposal.

Further, Plaintiffs’ Exhibit #8, the Stipulated Judgment,
permanently enjoined DeGravelle and Schexnayder from interfering
with the right-of-passage of the Carabines or obstructing passage in any
way. The Stipulated Judgment prohibited DeGravelle and Schexnayder
from interfering with anyone using the right-of-way, who is a party to
the right-of-way agreement, or a family member, agent, or invitee of a
party to the right-of-way agreement. The evidence preponderates that
DeGravelle and Schexnayder premeditatedly, intentionally, mean
spirited[ly,] and with a desire of interfering with the rights of the
Carabines[,] violated the Stipulated Judgment. DeGravelle and
Schexnayder took action such as calling and contacting the waste
management companies in order to get the waste management
companies not to comply with their [contracts] with the Carabines. The
tactic that DeGravelle used was advising the waste management
companies that it was his private road and that they would be
responsible for damages. Then, the waste management companies
would tell DeGravelle and Schexnayder that they would have to sign
damage waivers to the waste management company to continue serving
the Carabines[,] and DeGravelle and Schexnayder would then refuse.
They had no right to do this and were prohibited [from doing so] by the
[Stipulated] Judgment.

It is obvious that this was all a plan and conspiracy by DeGravelle
and Schexnayder to deprive, intentionally and with malice, the
Carabines from having garbage service and other delivery services such
as Kentwood Water, United Postal Service (UPS), etc. DeGravelle and
Schexnayder tried and succeeded in cutting off all service to the
Carabines, requiring them to haul all of their garbage, etc., a half (1/2)
mile to the public road. This was all in direct violation of the Stipulated
Judgment entered into on November 29, 2004, and signed by the Court
on November 13, 2006. The testimony reflects that the interference with
the waste management companies by DeGravelle and Schexnayder

10

occurred after the signing of the November 13, 2006 Stipulated
Judgment and the rendering of the November 29, 2004 stipulation. This
caused the Carabines to obtain the temporary restraining order on
August 3, 2007.

Next, the Carabines complain that Schexnayder, in particular, has
interfered with their enjoyment and use of the servitude of passage
adjacent to Schexnayder’s property[,] causing interference,
harassment[,] and degradation of the property within the sixty (60’) foot
right-of-passage.

Donald Carabine testified that the Carabines installed limestone
for the road surface of about fifteen (15’) feet in width at the center of
the sixty (60’) foot right-of-passage. Thereafter, Gene Schexnayder
began to degrade and damage the right of way. Except for the limestone
filled portion of the right-of-way on which the Carabines’ vehicles
traveled, the remainder of the right-of-way consisted of beautifully
maintained grass. The grass had been maintained by Schexnayder on
the portion of the right-of-passage which did not have the limestone for
passage of the vehicles. Schexnayder had maintained that grass portion
of the right-of-passage[,] and it was beautiful and was always cut and
maintained. Schexnayder maintained the grass on the sixty (60’) foot
right-of-passage adjacent to his property. The Stipulated Judgment
provided that Gene Schexnayder would be responsible for maintenance
of the non-roadbed portion of the right-of-passage[,] and[,] in default
thereof, Carabine may maintain that portion of the right-of-way from
Gene Schexnayder’s driveway to the property of the Carabines. Donald
Carabine testified that after he installed the stone portion of the roadbed,
Gene Schexnayder would cut the grass portion of the non-stone portion
of the sixty (60’) foot right-of-passage, but would not get close with his
lawnmower to the limestone because it would damage his lawnmower
blade. Gene Schexnayder testified to the same thing. Donald Carabine
testified that he would raise the cutting edge of his lawnmower and
would cut the grass in the areas where the limestone was on the side of
the roadbed so that it would have a neat appearance.

Schexnayder testified that he had been maintaining the grass on
the non-roadbed portion of the sixty (60’) foot right-of-passage running
along and adjacent to his property. He testified that he quit passing his
lawnmower close to the stones because the stones were damaging his
lawnmower. Schexnayder testified that one day Carabine was cutting
the grass[,] and Schexnayder became upset with him and told Carabine
that he, Schexnayder, was caring for the grass. Carabine disagrees and
says that he was only cutting the portion next to the limestone where
Schexnayder had not cut. As a result, Schexnayder testified he poisoned
the grass on all of the non-roadbed portion of the sixty (60’) foot right-
of-passage so that Carabine would not come on the property anymore to
cut the grass. Schexnayder testified that he did this intentionally.

11

The result of the poisoning of the grass on the non-roadbed
portion of the sixty (60’) foot right-of-passage from the Carabines’
residence along the right-of-passage to the curve going to Gene
Schexnayder’s property resulted in the grass dying. When it rained, it
puddled. After this deterioration began, as a result of the poisoning of
the grass by Schexnayder, Schexnayder, and more particularly, his
stepson, Jessie Maturin, who lives with him, began riding their four-
wheeler up and down and around[,] mostly on the non-roadbed portion
of the sixty (60’) foot right-of-passage[,] where there was no longer any
grass.[5] The constant riding of the four-wheeler on the sixty (60’) foot
right-of-passage resulted in mud pits being created by the four-wheeler,
puddles of water being created by the four-wheeler ruts[,] and by no
grass. In general, a degradation of the non-roadbed portion of the sixty
(60’) foot right-of-passage was undertaken. Coincidentally, this area
that was thus damaged by Schexnayder and his stepson is immediately
in the front of the property and residence of the Carabines.

Donald and Ellen Carabine testified that Gene Schexnayder and
Jessie Maturin continually rode the four-wheeler in this area after the
grass was poisoned, creating mud pits, ruts, indentations[,] and holes
that would hold the water when it rained.

[Louisiana Civil Code Article] 748 provides that the owners of the
servient estate burdened with a predial servitude of passage may do
nothing tending to diminish or make more inconvenient the use of the
servitude. See: Keeley v. Schexnailder, 708 So.2d 838 (3rd Cir., 1998);
Hymel v. St. John the Parish School Board, 303 So.2d 588 (4th cir.,
1974); Ogden v. Bankston, 398 So.2d 1037 (La.1981).

The evidence showing that Gene Schexnayder and his stepson,
Jessie Maturin, intentionally diminished the use and convenience of the
servitude of passage, consist[s] of Plaintiffs’ Exhibits #2, #3, #4, #5, #6,
Defendants’ Exhibit[s] #1, #2, a, b, and c, and most particularly,
Plaintiffs’ Exhibit #15, being the video tape taken by the Carabines.[6]

5
The record shows that Jessie Maturin does not live with Schexnayder; however, he was
“there all the time.”
6
The video shows shallow ruts alongside the road, mostly one or more feet away. There were
also at least two large puddles containing standing water. The video progressed to depict several
views of two signs, one positioned three to five feet on either side of the roadbed. The video again
progressed to show that the puddles with standing water were now two to four feet wide and more
than six feet long. Tire ruts were evident in and around the puddles.
The video next showed two different men on four-wheelers at different times circling in the
right-of-way. The right-of-way was wet as was evidenced by the standing water covering the area
that had the initial puddles. Both men drove around the standing water instead of through it. The
video changed scenes to show a man, woman, and child, who were all on the four-wheeler at the
same time, as they drove through standing water on their way to Plaintiffs’ fence line. As the people
reached the fence line, they apparently noticed the camera and operator, they then drove away and,
this time, avoided the standing water. The people returned and drove in circles and figure eights

12

Plaintiffs’ Exhibits #2, #3, #4, #5[,] and #6, according to the
testimony of the Carabines, indicates [sic] the area in the grass non-
roadbed portion of the right-of-passage immediately to the front of the
Carabines’ property. These photographs indicate the condition of the
non-roadbed portion of the passage after poisoning of the grass by Gene
Schexnayder and the use of the four-wheeler over it. Their actions
caused the flooding, rutting[,] and killing of the remain[der] of the grass.

The testimony of the Carabines is that the video, Plaintiffs’
Exhibit #15, shows the condition of this same area. It is immediately in
the front of the property of the Carabines and adjacent to the property of
Gene Schexnayder. It reflects the condition after the poisoning of the
grass by Schexnayder and after riding of the four-wheeler over and over
again in that area by Gene Schexnayder and Jessie Maturin. The video
also shows the arrogance and taunting of Gene Schexnayder and Jessie
Maturin as they ride up and down that area on the four-wheeler. They
go mostly in the water and mud portions in order to create a mud pit and
water pit immediately in front of the property of the Carabines and all
along the sixty (60’) foot right-of-passage. The intent and desire to
diminish the use and convenience of the servitude and damage the non-
roadbed portion of the servitude so as to harass and embarrass the
Carabines is reinforced by the attitude displayed by Schexnayder and
Jessie Maturin as they damage this area in the video.

The intent of Schexnayder and Jessie Maturin, his stepson, is also
confirmed when this court compares the condition of the right-of-
passage adjacent to and along other property of Schexnayder and
property of DeGravelle as reflected in photographs and testimony.
Those areas are in great condition and so is the grass. See Defendants’
Exhibit #2, a, b, and c. The same is shown by the excellent condition of
the right-of-passage along the property of DeGravelle and Schexnayder
as reflected in Defendants’ Exhibit #3, a and b.

The evidence strongly preponderates that Schexnayder and Jessie
Maturin, his stepson, intentionally diminished the use and convenience
of the non-roadbed portion of the servitude. The damage prevents the
area from being maintained in a reasonable and useful manner. The
damage also destroyed the appearance and beauty of the area.

The court finds that Schexnayder and his stepson, Jessie Maturin,

right outside of Plaintiffs’ fence line.
The video advanced and showed views of the muddy roadbed with some gravel thereon and
muddy tracks going onto the roadbed. The final images of the recording showed puddles just outside
of Plaintiffs’ gate with deep ruts [and] furrows, connecting the newer puddle to the earlier puddles,
which have grown in size. The deep furrows in the mud continued through the original puddles,
which still contained standing water. The deep ruts were also evident just outside Plaintiffs’ gates.
The final images also depicted a substantial mud trail that extended a distance onto the gravel
roadway.

13

have interfered with the right-of-passage, being the non-roadway portion
of the sixty (60’) feet by obstructing or preventing the Carabines from
having the use of this area.

The [Stipulated] Judgment also provides that Schexnayder is
prohibited from harassing anyone using the right-of-passage.
Obviously, this is a harassment of the Carabines[,] as it is intentionally
degrading and damaging the area immediately to the front of their
residence and all along their right-of-passage.

Schexnayder is responsible for Jessie Maturin, his stepson,
because Jessie Maturin resides and lives with Gene Schexnayder.
Additionally, the four-wheeler belongs to Gene Schexnayder.

Under the Stipulated Judgment, Gene Schexnayder is responsible
for maintenance of the non-roadbed portion of the right-of-way. In
default thereof, the Carabines may maintain that portion of the right-of-
way from Gene Schexnayder’s driveway to the property of the
Carabines. What Gene Schexnayder has done here is vacated his
responsibility for maintenance of the non-roadbed portion of the right-
of-passage by poisoning the grass, creating holding places for water,
creating a mud pit[,] and continually and purposely riding the four-
wheeler throughout this area in order to degrade and damage that
property. In accordance with the Stipulated Judgment, Carabine is now
responsible to maintain all of this damaged area. The actions of
Schexnayder and his intent to accomplish this is obvious.

The Carabines testified that Gene Schexnayder, in addition, often
rides his automobile or truck in the same area causing similar damage
and problems in front of the fence at the gate of the Carabine property.
The Carabines testified that this is often done by Schexnayder himself.

The Carabines testified that Oliver DeGravelle drives his Jeep in
that same area immediately to the left of their gate opening onto the
right-of-passage at the front of their property. Their testimony is that
when it is wet and muddy, that Oliver DeGravelle will come in his Jeep,
immediately in front of their fence, and go up and down that area
degrading the area and causing mud pits and water holes on this sixty
(60’) foot right-of-passage.

DeGravelle testified that the reason he goes back to this area is
because he goes to check the drainage ditches. He testified that it is
necessary for him to go into that corner with his Jeep so that he can view
the drainage or problems with the drainage.

The Carabines have testified, however, that Oliver DeGravelle
often rides up and down the right-of-passage immediately in front of
their residence whether it is raining or has rained or whatever the

14

weather condition. They testified that he also comes in his Jeep on the
right-of-passage roadbed, and sometimes stays there and watches for
considerable periods of time immediately in front of their property
entrance.

The court notes that the only place to go on this straightaway
right-of-passage is from the Schexnayder property onto the Carabine
property. There is no other reasons for a person to be on that right-of-
passage unless they are going to the Carabine property. Neither
Schexnayder nor DeGravelle have property that they can get to by being
on that portion of the right-of-passage.

This court finds by preponderance of the evidence that the two are
intentionally diminishing the use and convenience of the servitude and
[sic] to embarrass and harass the Carabines. All of this is in violation of
the Stipulated Judgment and intentional by DeGravelle and
Schexnayder.

The court finds that all of these activities have occurred relative
to the degradation of the sixty (60’) foot non-roadbed right-of-passage
after the issuance of the Stipulated Judgment and some of it after the
issuance of the temporary restraining order, though it may have been
after the temporary restraining order expired by non-renewal.

Obviously, DeGravelle and Schexnayder were made aware of the
damage that they were doing and the interference with the right-of-
passage and rights of the Carabines[] after the Carabines filed a
temporary restraining order. Obviously[,] DeGravelle and Schexnayder
were aware of the seriousness of the temporary restraining order
obtained by the Carabines, as they were required to post $10,000.00 in
security. This is no inconsequential amount of money.

The Carabines have testified that this intentional damage to the
non-roadbed portion of the right-of-passage has diminished and made
more inconvenient their use thereof because when they and another car,
or two cars meet one another on this right-of-passage, one vehicle has
to go in the mud and water in order to pass[,] as the roadbed portion of
the right-of-passage is only wide enough for one vehicle. Additionally,
because of the damage, the costs to maintain [the right-of-passage] by
the Carabine[s] has increased.

The Carabines testified that as a result of the poisoning of [the]
grass and the creation of water and mud pits by the four-wheelers, that
now the four-wheelers go onto or cross the limestone roadbed put down
by the Carabines. The four-wheelers carry and bring mud and water and
dissipate the limestone roadbed. The Carabines testified that as a result
of the increase in mud and water brought by the four-wheelers onto the
limestone roadbed, their vehicles are dirtied every time they have to use

15

their right-of-passage and need to be washed.

The Carabines testified that it is very embarrassing for them and
guests who come to their home to see Schexnayder and/or DeGravelle
riding up and down in front of their residence with no place to go and
obviously attempting to harass the Carabines and their visitors.

Ellen Carabine testified that she had to call the companies who
service their property in January of 2007 because the limestone portion
of the right-of-passage and all of the right-of-passage was too wet and
damaged for the trucks to come down the right-of-passage and service
their property. This was because of the damage by DeGravelle and
Schexnayder.

Schexnayder testified that because he owns the sixty (60’) foot
right-of-passage subject to the servitude, he has the right to do whatever
he wants[,] including the activity with the four-wheelers on the right-of-
passage and to use that right-of-passage as he desires.

Donald Carabine testified that Jessie Maturin, more particularly,
rides the four-wheeler in the area in controversy everyday, as well as at
night, and that he continues to use the four-wheeler to rip up the
limestone bed placed there by the Carabines. The testimony of Donald
Carabine is that Jessie Maturin is there on the four-wheeler all of the
time. He testified that this was in November of 2007, after they
obtained the temporary restraining order. He testified that Jessie
Maturin, when riding the four-wheeler, goes around in circles
immediately in the front of the fence of the Carabines’ property in the
mud and water, smiling and laughing at them as he does so. He
continues to make a bigger and bigger mess. He rides the four-wheeler
mostly in the mud and water and not on any portion where there is grass.
The deterioration of this area spoken of by Donald Carabine is evident
and obvious[,] more particularly in the video.

Donald Carabine testified that[,] if one goes along the right-of-
passage along DeGravelle’s property, the non-roadbed portion of the
property is grassy and manicured[,] and there are no ruts, no water, and
no mud there. He testified that no one rides a four-wheeler there.
Carabine testified that the non-roadbed portion of the right-of-passage
in front of Gene Schexnayder’s house is also grassy and that there is no
mud, water[,] and/or ruts similar to the area in the front of the
Carabine[s’] property.

Donald Carabine testified that there was no water and puddles,
but just grass[,] on the non-roadbed portion of the right-of-passage
before the grass was poisoned by Schexnayder. Carabine testified that
he has seen both Schexnayder and DeGravelle come in their vehicles
and go up and down the area where there is a lot of mud and ruts to the

16

left of his front gate as is shown in the video. They continue to make the
area worse and worse. It is obvious that they are deliberately doing this
activity in order to harass them. This has been going on since November
and December of 2007. The video shows the November and December
of 2007 activity. The video was taken over a four (4) week period.
Donald Carabine testified that when the grass died and was dissipated,
that the limestone stones that he had placed in the roadbed began to
dissipate because there was nothing to hold them there.

Contempt

After having set forth the above statement of the relevant facts, the trial court

then cited the applicable law, La.Code Civ.P. art. 224(2),7 and explained the

application thereof, as follows:

Under the jurisprudence of this state, in interpreting [La.Code
Civ.P. art. 224], it must be shown by the parties seeking the contempt
ruling that the alleged offender willfully disobeyed a direct order of the
[c]ourt prior to the contempt rules. One act enumerated as constituting
a constructive contempt of court is willful disobedience of any lawful
judgment, order, mandate, writ[,] or process of [c]ourt. Willful
disobedience is an act or failure to act that is done intentionally,
knowingly[,] and purposefully[,] without justification. The [t]rial
[c]ourt is vested with great discretion in determining whether a person
is to be held in contempt [of court] for willful disobedience of a [t]rial
[c]ourt [j]udgment. See: Moises v. Moises, 710 So.2d 1191 (5th Cir.,
1998); New v. New, 631 So.2d 1183 (5th Cir., 1994).

There is no doubt in the mind of this [c]ourt that the [D]efendants,
DeGravelle and Schexnayder, intentionally, willfully[,] and in a mean
spirit violated the Stipulated Judgment of this [c]ourt. It is the opinion
of this [c]ourt that such was proven beyond a reasonable doubt. It is the
opinion of this [c]ourt that the violation of the Stipulated Judgment of
this [c]ourt by the [D]efendants was willful[ly] and intentional[ly] done
for the purposes of embarrassing, humiliating[,] and harassing the
Carabines.

7
Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure Article 224 provides, in pertinent part:

A constructive contempt of court is any contempt other than a direct one.

Any of the following acts constitutes a constructive contempt of court:

....

(2) Wilful disobedience of any lawful judgment, order, mandate, writ, or process of the
court[. . . .]

17

The Court finds that both Oliver DeGravelle and Gene
Schexnayder are in contempt of court for the reasons set forth
hereinabove in my Reasons for Judgment as well as set forth here. They
are each sentenced to serve sixty (60) days in the parish jail, thirty (30)
days of which are suspended upon the condition that they do not violate
any orders of this Court in the future relative to the Stipulated Judgment
and the Injunction hereinafter granted.

Defendants will serve thirty (30) days in the parish jail each. The
other thirty (30) days will be suspended upon the condition set forth
above.

ASSIGNMENTS OF ERROR

Defendants appeal the trial court’s judgment, asserting the following five

assignments of error:

1. The [t]rial [c]ourt committed legal error in finding the
[D]efendants guilty of contempt of the orders of the court for failing to
remove signs;

2. The [t]rial [c]ourt committed legal error in finding the
[D]efendants guilty of contempt of court for “premeditatedly,
intentionally, mean-spirited[ly] and with a desire of interfering with the
rights of the Carabines violated the Stipulated Judgment”;

3. The [t]rial [c]ourt committed legal error in finding the
[D]efendants guilty of contempt for entering into a conspiracy “to
deprive, intentionally and with malice, the Carabines from having
garbage service and other delivery services such as Kentwood Water,
United Parcel Service (UPS), etc. DeGravelle and Schexnayder tried
and succeeded in cutting off all service to the Carabines, requiring them
to haul all of their garbage, etc., a half (1/2) mile to the public road”;

4. The [t]rial court committed legal error in finding that the
[D]efendants harassed the [P]laintiffs to an extent which rises to the
level of compensatory injury beyond “minimal worry and
inconvenience” and granted judgment therefore, or, alternatively, the
said damage award was excessive[;]

5. The trial court committed legal error in granting permanent
injunctions when (1) [sic] the [P]laintiffs/[A]ppellees offered no
evidence to meet their burden of proof[.]

Assignments of Error Nos. 1, 2, and 3

As to the first, second, and third assignments of error, Defendants argue that

18

there was insufficient evidence to support their contempt convictions. Since these

three assignments of error all concern sufficiency of the evidence, we will address

them together.

Defendants assert that there was insufficient evidence to support a finding that

they intentionally, knowingly, purposefully, and without justifiable cause violated a

court order by: (1) interfering with Plaintiffs’ right of passage down the roadbed; (2)

obstructing Plaintiffs’ right of passage down the roadbed; (3) obstructing or harassing

anyone using the right-of-way; or (4) interfering with anyone using the right-of-way

who is a party to the right-of-way agreement or who is a family member, agent, or

invitee of a party to the right-of-way agreement.

Defendants allege that there was insufficient evidence to support a finding

either that there was intentional interference with the right-of-way usage by

Defendants or that Defendants knew the parties involved were parties to the right-of-

way agreement or family members, agents, or invitees of Plaintiffs. Defendants point

out that the Stipulated Judgment allows Defendants to stop anyone who does not

qualify as a party to the agreement or as a family member, agent, or invitee of a party

to the right-of-way agreement.

Specifically, Defendants note that the Stipulated Judgment required Defendants

to remove obstructions to the roadway and postulate that signs contained in the right-

of-way, but outside of the roadway, should not be considered obstructions to the

roadway because they were not on the roadway. Defendants urge, moreover, that

there is no evidence to support a finding that the remaining signs created an

obstruction to the roadway or to the right-of-way. Defendants maintain there was

insufficient proof that the signs were on their property because there was no evidence

19

submitted showing the signs were on Defendants property and because there are two

additional landowners who each own property in the right-of-way between

Defendants.

Defendants also posit that there is no proof to support a finding that they

violated the Stipulated Judgment premeditatedly, intentionally, mean-spiritedly, and

with a desire to interfere with Plaintiffs’ rights. Defendants contend there is no

evidence to support the trial court’s finding that Plaintiffs had to haul their garbage

to the public road. Defendants further allege that the testimony of the witnesses show

that they did not prevent them from going onto Plaintiffs’ property. Defendants urge

this court to find that stopping one person to complain of speeding and stopping

others to inquire about their business in the area did not constitute contempt of court.

Defendants claim that the evidence directly contradicts the trial court’s finding

that their actions have resulted in the cessation of services such as waste management,

UPS, and water delivery to Plaintiffs’ property. Defendants also allege that the waste

disposal companies voluntarily ceased service to Plaintiffs following the refusal by

Defendants and the other landowners to grant a waiver of liability required by the

companies when DeGravelle complained to the companies concerning the damage

being done by the trucks to the roadway. Defendants urge that the complaints were

reasonable since Plaintiffs did not assist in paying for the upkeep of the roadway on

DeGravelle’s property. Defendants also argue that it is their prerogative, as

landowners, to refuse to waive liability for damage thereto, and all four landowners

refused the waiver.

Defendants also contest the trial court’s finding that the poisoning of the grass

by Schexnayder on the non-roadbed portion of the right-of-way constituted

20

harassment of Plaintiffs. Defendants point out that it was Schexnayder’s stepson who

created mud pits in the bare area by riding his four-wheeler up and down the non-

roadway right-of-way, and Schexnayder does not have control over his stepson’s

actions because the stepson is not a minor, he does not live with Schexnayder, and

there is no evidence that Schexnayder owned the four-wheeler. Defendants further

maintain that Plaintiffs only accused Schexnayder’s son of harassing them, not

Defendants. Schexnayder professes that he warned his stepson to stay off the

roadway portion of the right-of-way.

Defendants further maintain that the non-roadway portion of the right-of-way

is rarely used and has never been used by the Plaintiffs or their family. Defendants

urge that the non-roadway portion of the right-of-way is only used when two vehicles

meet when traveling on the roadway.

Standard of Review

The supreme court has set forth the standard for reviewing sufficiency of the

evidence, in a case such as this, as follows:

The standard of appellate review for a sufficiency of the evidence
claim is whether, after viewing the evidence in the light most favorable
to the prosecution, any rational trier of fact could have found the
essential elements of the crime proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
Jackson v. Virginia, 443 U.S. 307, 319, 99 S.Ct. 2781, 2789, 61 L.Ed.2d
560 (1979); State v. Mussall, 523 So.2d 1305 (La.1988). A
determination of the weight of evidence is a question of fact, resting
solely with the trier of fact who may accept or reject, in whole or in part,
the testimony of any witnesses. State v. Silman, 95-0154 (La.11/27/95),
663 So.2d 27, 35. A reviewing court may impinge on the factfinding
function of the jury only to the extent necessary to assure the Jackson
standard of review. State v. Bordenave, 95-2328 (La.4/26/96), 678
So.2d 19, 20. It is not the function of an appellate court to assess
credibility or re-weigh the evidence. Id.

State v. Macon, 06-481, pp. 7-8 (La. 6/1/07), 957 So.2d 1280, 1285-86. Thus,

although Defendants contest specific factual findings by the trial court, the specific

21

findings are not the sole controlling factor; instead, the jurisprudence required the

trial court to view the evidence in the light most favorable to Plaintiffs in order to

determine whether any rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements

of contempt to be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.8

Analysis

“A contempt of court is any act or omission tending to obstruct or interfere

with the orderly administration of justice, or to impair the dignity of the court or

respect for its authority. Contempts of court are of two kinds, direct and

constructive.” La.Code Civ.P. art. 221. “A person may not be adjudged guilty of a

contempt of court except for misconduct defined as such, or made punishable as such,

expressly by law.” La.Code Civ.P. art. 227.

The trial court convicted Defendants of constructive contempt under the

following provisions of La.Code Civ.P. art. 224. “Willful disobedience of a court

order requires a consciousness of the duty to obey the order and an intent to disregard

that duty.” Dauphine, 843 So.2d at 1108.

The evidence before the court shows that both Plaintiffs and Defendants were

involved in a lawsuit wherein a Stipulated Judgment was issued prohibiting all parties

from certain acts, specifically:

h. Both parties are permanently enjoined from interfering with the
other’s right of passage down the roadway, or obstructing any
party from passage in any way;

i. Each party is prohibited from obstructing the sixty foot right-of-
way, or harassing anyone using the right-of-way;

8
“On appellate review of criminal contempt, the reviewing court must determine that the
evidence, viewed in the light most favorable to the prosecution, was sufficient for a rational trier of
fact to conclude that every element of the contempt charge was proved beyond a reasonable doubt.”
Dauphine, 843 So.2d at 1108.

22

j. Each party is prohibited from interfering with anyone using the
right-of-way who is a party to the right-of-way agreement, or a
family member, agent, or invitee of a party to the right-of-way
agreement;

k. The speed limit on the sixty foot right-of-way is 15 miles per
hour;

l. Plaintiffs will maintain the right-of-way roadbed from Gene
Schexnayder’s driveway to their property;

m. Defendant, Gene Schexnayder, will be responsible for
maintenance of the non-roadbed portion of the right-of-way; in
default thereof, [P]laintiffs may maintain that portion of the right-
of-way from Gene Schexnayder’s driveway to the property of the
Carabines.

n. All obstructions to the roadway[,] including the home, the oak
tree and signs must be removed by [D]efendants and remediated
to its intended purpose at their costs[.]

The record reflects that, since the Stipulated Judgment entered into by the

parties on November 13, 2006, DeGravelle continued to routinely stop, talk to,

question, and otherwise “visit” with the occupants of vehicles on the roadway he did

not recognize. The testimony of those people approached by DeGravelle showed they

believed DeGravelle’s actions constituted hostile interrogations or confrontations

rather than “visits.”

Evidence presented by Plaintiffs further showed that DeGravelle called at least

three trash pickup services hired by the Carabines for their waste disposal for the

purpose of keeping the companies off the right-of-way, which, in at least two

instances, resulted in the companies canceling the Carabines’ contracts. Moreover,

the evidence most favorable to Plaintiffs shows that DeGravelle has, on several

occasions, called in speeding complaints against people using the road to reach

Plaintiffs’ property without justification and without proof that they had been

disobeying the posted speed limit.

23

The evidence most favorable to Plaintiffs shows that, after the Stipulated

Judgment, Schexnayder both participated in and consented to his stepson’s actions

in degrading the right-of-way, including the roadway. Schexnayder knew that the

four-wheeler used by both he and his stepson was causing ruts in the right-of-way up

to the edge of the roadbed. Schexnayder further personally initiated the damage to

the right-of-way and roadbed by intentionally killing the grass in the right-of-way as

an act of retaliation against Plaintiffs for their attempt to assist in the maintenance of

the right-of-way outside of the roadbed.

When the evidence is considered in a light most favorable to Plaintiffs, the

evidence shows, beyond a reasonable doubt, both that DeGravelle intentionally

harassed, interfered with, and obstructed the Carabines’ guests, invitees, and agents

in their use of the right-of-way and that Schexnayder intentionally and knowingly

obstructed passage on the sixty-foot right-of-way and refused to maintain the area in

a manner suitable for use of the servitude. Therefore, Defendants’ respective actions

constituted a knowing, intentional, and willful disobedience of a court order, the

November 13, 2006 Stipulated Judgment. Thus, there is sufficient evidence to

support Defendants’ criminal contempt convictions. Accordingly, we find

Defendants’ challenges to the sufficiency of the evidence presented to support their

criminal contempt convictions set forth in the first, second, and third assignments of

error to be without merit.

Assignment of Error No. 4

Defendants assign as error the trial court’s finding that their actions rose to the

level which justified a damage award to Plaintiffs. In brief, Defendants argue “that

the award was in error and/or excessive.” Further, Defendants contend that the trial

24

court’s reliance upon the cases of Griffin v. Abshire, 04-37 (La.App. 3 Cir. 6/2/04),

878 So.2d 750, writ denied, 04-1663 (La. 10/8/04), 883 So.2d 1018, and Phillips v.

Town of Many, 538 So.2d 745 (La.App. 3 Cir. 1989), is misplaced.

In support of its $15,000.00 damage award, the trial court stated:

In Griffin, the [c]ourt found that the evidence was uncontradicted that
the Abshires had consistently harassed the Griffins over the
servitude[-]of[-]passage . . . . The Abshires dug a ditch without the
permission of the Griffins . . . for the specific purpose of prohibiting the
Griffins from accessing their property from the servitude-of-passage.
Additionally, each time Griffin would walk the servitude-of-passage for
any purpose, the Abshires would complain to law enforcement
authorities that he was trespassing. According to Griffin, this had
occurred at least fifteen (15) times . . . .

In Griffin, the [c]ourt found that the defendants were trespassing
relative to the rights of the Griffins on their servitude-of-passage. The
[c]ourt concluded that one who is wronged by a trespass may recover
general damages suffered, including mental and physical pain and
anguish, distress[,] and inconvenience.

The [c]ourt in Griffin[] awarded $10,000.00 in mental anguish for
the actions of the Abshires.

Another case upon which this [c]ourt relies is Phillips v. Town of
Many, 538 So.2d 745 (3rd Cir., 1989). This was also a trespass action.
The action involved in Phillips occurred on only one (1) day. The
[c]ourt found, however, that the incident cause the plaintiffs
considerable embarrassment and humiliation, especially considering the
visible presence of the police. The [c]ourt found that the demeanor of
the plaintiffs when testifying was that they were genuinely upset and
traumatized by the entire event and the loss or damage to their property
was believable. The [c]ourt awarded $1,500.00 for mental anguish,
embarrassment[,] and humiliation.

This [c]ourt was impressed by the testimony of Mr. and Mrs.
Carabine. Mr. and Mrs. Carabine have been harassed, humiliated[,] and
inconvenienced as a result of the intentional actions of the [D]efendants
(DeGravelle and Schexnayder). The [D]efendants have intentionally
sought to embarrass and humiliate the Carabines and have intentionally
deprived them of their right to have deliveries, etc.[,] to their property.
Additionally, the [D]efendants have intentionally stopped persons going
on the road and attempted to stop other persons on the road as a means
of embarrassment and humiliation to the Carabines. The [D]efendants
have attempted to show the Carabines that despite the [o]rders of the

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[c]ourt, they are going to continue their harassment and humiliation of
the Carabines in the manner in which they act. More specifically, the
[D]efendants have not removed the signs that they have been ordered to
remove by the [c]ourt. They give some lame testimony as to why they
have not removed the signs. However, they have been ordered to
remove the signs and have not complied, causing embarrassment and
humiliation and inconvenience to the Carabines. The [D]efendants have
also harassed the Carabines by interfering with persons using the right-
of-passage to go to the Carabines as specified herein by the [c]ourt: the
Veterinarian, the Iberia Parish employee[,] and the young woman who
has gone out to visit the young woman who lives with the Carabines.
More particularly embarrassing and humiliating and causing a
tremendous amount of inconvenience[] has been the interference with
the trash pick-up and deliveries such as water, etc.[,] to the Carabines.
This has caused them a great amount of inconvenience, humiliation[,]
and embarrassment. Additionally, the degradation of the property
immediately in front of the residence of the Carabines by the
[D]efendants in order to make a mud pit out of an otherwise beautified
area which is part of the right-of-passage, certainly has been
embarrassing and humiliating to the Carabines.

The [c]ourt finds that the actions of [D]efendants, DeGravelle and
Schexnayder, have been a conspiracy to cause embarrassment,
humiliation[,] and harassment to the Carabines and that they are liable
in solido for the mental anguish, pain and suffering, embarrassment,
humiliation, and harassment of the Carabines. For all of the actions of
the [D]efendants[,] . . . the [c]ourt awards the sum of $15,000.00 for
mental anguish, pain and suffering, embarrassment, humiliation, and
harrassment, insolido against the [D]efendants, DeGravelle and
Schexnayder.

We do not find the trial court’s damage award manifestly erroneous, nor do we

find the trial court’s reliance upon either Griffin or Phillips misplaced. Having found

that there was sufficient evidence presented to support Defendants’ criminal contempt

convictions, we likewise find that the trial court was correct in employing the same

evidence to substantiate its damage award to Plaintiffs. Defendants willfully

disregarded and disobeyed the orders of court set forth in the November 13, 2006

Stipulated Judgment. Plaintiffs’ peaceful possession was repeatedly disrupted by

Defendants’ incredulous actions. Under these circumstances, the trial court was not

manifestly erroneous or clearly wrong in awarding Plaintiffs $15,000.00 for the

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humiliation, embarrassment, and harassment experienced by Plaintiffs as a result of

Defendants’ actions.

Assignment of Error No. 5

Finally, Defendants argue that there is no evidence in the record to support the

trial court’s issuance of a permanent injunction. We disagree. There is ample

testimony and evidence in the record which demonstrates the need for a permanent

injunction. Pertinent in support of the trial court’s decision is the fact that Defendants

knowingly and willingly bound themselves to certain obligations through their

participation and acceptance of the November 13, 2006 Stipulated Judgment.

Without cause, circumspect, or justification, Defendants violated the Stipulated

Judgment by interfering with Plaintiffs’ daily lives in a consistent and persistent

manner. Plaintiffs had to incur the expense of hiring an attorney to obtain a

temporary restraining order and post a bond therefor for Plaintiffs to have the benefit

of trash pick-up. DeGravelle had no qualms admitting to calling waste companies

and complaining about their use of his “private road,” and Schexnayder knowingly

and willingly rode a four-wheeler creating ruts, all the while taunting Plaintiffs. We

find that Plaintiffs need the security and protection provided by a permanent

injunction to prohibit Defendants from any further violations of the Stipulated

Judgment herein. Therefore, we find Defendants’ assignment of error, that there was

no evidence in the record to support the trial court’s issuance of a permanent

injunction, to be without merit.

DECREE

The trial court’s judgment against Defendants is affirmed in its entirety. All

costs of these proceedings are assessed against Defendants, Oliver DeGravelle, Jr.

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and Gene Schexnayder.

AFFIRMED.

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