Thornhill v. Aylor et al

Filing 114

MEMORANDUM OPINION. Signed by District Judge Glen E. Conrad on 5/25/17. (hnw)

I TH E UN I
N
TED STA TES D I I COU RT
STR CT
FO R TH E W ESTERN D I
STRI OF VI I I
CT
RG N A
CH ARLO TTESV I
LLE D I I ON
V SI
SH ER RY LYN N TH ORNH I
LL,
f he s l a a Adm i sr t oft
or r e f nd s
ni ta or he
Es a e ofhe s Shawn Clr s ophe Be r
tt
r on,
z i t r r y,
de ea e
c s d,

Pli if
antf,

CL
ERK' OFFI U. Dt COURT
S
CE S. ST.
AT G NOG ,
VA
FIED
L

MAt 2 5 2 1
27
JL
m

B .

D

EM CLERK

DEP 'Y CLERK
r

Ci lA cton N o.3: CV vi
i
15- 00024

M EM O R AN D UM O PI I
N ON
By:Hon. l n E.Con a
Ge
rd
Chi fU nied St t D it i tJ
e
t
a es s rc udge

F.G LEN N A YLOR,etal,
.

De knda s
t
nt .

Pli ifSher LynnTho l(t r l') onbe l ofherefa a a nitao of
antf ry
mhil ;Tho nhil',
haf
s l nd s dmi srtr
t esat ofhe s Sha Chrsophe Ber fld t sacin purua t 42 U. C.j 1 3
he t e
r on, wn it r ry, ie hi to
s nt o
S.
98

a Vigi a Code j 8. - ç1sq, a i tt Centa Vigni Re onalJ i Aut iy (he
nd r ni
0150, e , gans he
rl r i a gi
al hort t
tAut iy') Su rntnda F.Glnn Ayl ,a s veale oyee a t Ce r lVigi a
t hort ', pei e nt
e
or nd e r mpl s t he nta r ni

Regi lJ l((
ona ai 1CVRJ',aii o o Bery' de t whie i c t y.The cae i pr s nl
' rsng ut f r s ah l n usod
)
s s e e ty
bef e t c ton de enda s m oton t c r iy t t Supr m e Cour ofV igi a t que ton
or he our
f
nt ' i o e tf o he
e
t
r ni he s i

o wh t rr go a j i a to iisa t ere ly e aee tte t s v r ini nt u d r
f ehe e in l al uh rte nd h i mp o e s r nild o o eeg mmu iy n e
V igi a l . t r as s a e t m oton w ilbe de e
r ni aw For he e ons t t d, he i
l
ni d.
Factualand ProceduralBac roqnd
v
-

The c ' ha pr vi l s m a i ed t f c s of t i t nt m a t r as a l ge i
oul s e ousy um rz he a t
t
he ns a
te ,
le d n
pl i t f ' a e d com pl i ,i ispr vi m e or ndum opi on.Se Thor l v. or N o.
a n if s m nde
a nt n t e ous m a
ni
e
nhil Ayl ,

3:5- 0002 201 U. Dit LEXI 20153,a * 1 ( . Va.Fe 1 201 .On Augus
1 CV- 4, 6 S. s.
S
t 2- 0 W D.
b. 9, 6)
t
2015, Thor l fl an am ended cl acton com pl nt agai t el
nhil ied
ass i
ai
ns even def
endant
s.

Defnda st nfld spart motonst dimispurua t Rul l b)6)oft Fe r Rul
e nt he ie e ae i o s s s nt o e 2( (
he deal es

ofCi lPr e e,whi h t c tg a e i par a de e i pa t Onl Count I,as e tng a
vi oc dur
c he our r nt d n t nd nid n r. y
s 1 s ri

cai frda
l m o mage under42U. C.j1 a Coun 11 algi wr ulde t i vi ai of
s
S.
983, nd
t 1, le ng ongf ah n olton
Vigi a Code j8. - rman agans t Aut iy,Aylr a t e oft e o e On
r ni
0150, e i i t he hort
o , nd hre he mplye s.
Apr l4,20l7 t r m a ni de e nt f l d a m oto t c r iy a ques i of s a e l w t t
i
, he e i ng f nda s ie
i n o e tf
ton
t t a o he
Supr m e Cour of V i g ni The c thel a hea i on t m o i a t m a t i rpe f
e
t
r i a.
our d
rng
he ton, nd he ter s i or
r ew .
evi
D i si
scus on

: f r c ts ce tfc ton of a qu ton of s a e 1 t t ts a e' hi tcoul i
i ede al our ' ri i a i
A
es i
t t aw o ha t t s ghes
' s
t
a r pr a e w he t f de alti
pp o i t
n he e r rbunali r quied t a es a nove i s of l all w w hi h i
s e r o ddr s
l s ue
oc a
c s
de e m i tve i t ca e be or i.'Gr t n v.Bd. O Sc Com m ' s of Ba t C iy, 805 F.
t r na i n he s f e t' ata
f h.
r
l. t
2d

11 11 4 ( h Ci.1 6) i-l de iin whehe t c riy i,a i mus beswihi t
60, 6 4t r 98 . 'fhe cso
g
t r o e tf s s t t
t n he
di c e i oft c tf ng c t' W e tAm .I .CO. Ba ofl l ofW i ht 673 F.Supp.760
s r ton he eriyi our .
' s
ns
v. nk s e
g ,
,

763 ( D.Va 1 .W he a esi sae-a camsa t r i no cae 1w fom t sae
E,
. 987)
n ddr sng tt lw li nd hee s
s a r he tt
whi h i di e ty on po nt d he di ti tc ' ate pt t do t s m e ast sat c tw o d do
c s r cl
i ,i
t
sr c oul t m s o
t
he a
he t e our ul

i eo r e wih t s me f tpatr 'Roev.Doe 28 F. 404,407 ( h Ci.1 (ii
f nfontd t he a ac ten.
'
,
3d
4t r 994) ctng
W is n v.Fo dMotrCo. 6 F. 960,961( h Ci.1 1) ' yi t a ia esaelw i
lo
r
o , 56 2d
4t r 98 ).t
onl f he valbl tt a s
ceal i ufii ts dt co tc riyt is t t saecour.'-z(ii Smihv.
l ry ns fcen houl he ur e tf he sue o he tt
t'JJ.ctng t FCXS
l

1 . 744 F. 1 ,1 ( h Ci.1 ) Rul 5: oft Rul oft Su e Cou tof
ne,
2d 378 379 4t r 984). e 40 he es he prme r
V igi a pr dest t Supr e Courtof Vi gi a çm ay i is di cre i answ er ques i of
r ni ovi hat he
em
r ni û
n t s t on
tons

1 w c r is t i by ...a U nie St t di ti tco t Suc a w e m a be f ni hed ...i a
a e tted o t
t d a es sr c ur . h ns r y
ur s
f
ques i of Vi ni l i det m i i i any pr
ton
rgi a aw s er natve n
oceedi pendi bef e t ceri ng cour
ng
ng or he tfyi
t

a i a a st ei no co r lngprce nton poi i t decsonsoft g e Coul
nd t ppe r her s
ntoli e de
nt n he ii
he suprme
'
t
ofVigi ajort Cou'ofAppe sofVigi a.
r ni
he l
t
al
r ni '
'

2

D e e nt s e t c riy t t Supr m e Co tofV igi a t que to ofwhe he t
f nda s e k o e tf o he
e
ur
r ni he s i n
t r he
Aut iy a is e pl es a e e il d t s r i n i m uniy unde t l w s of t
hort nd t m oye
r ntte o ove e g m
t
r he a
he
Com m o ea t o V i g ni Afe r e i t a ia e c s l w a t i s i ve i t
nw lh f r i a. l r evi w ng he va l bl a e a nd he s ues nvol d n he
i t nt c e,t c tconc ude t tt quesi s
ns a as he our
l s ha he
ton oughtt be c r ii i not c s - s ii
o
e tfed s
a e di pos tve
a t tt a ia e a hort i s fc e t de de t ques i A cc di y,t c tw il
nd ha he va l bl ut iy s uf i i nt o ci he
ton.
or ngl he our l
deny t m oton t c l iy.
he
i o e- f
t
I t i t ntca e pl i ifa l gesbo h s a e a f de alcl i s A st t f de a cl i ,
n he ns a
s , a ntf le
t t t nd e r a m . o he e r l a m

i i wel-eted t l a goveni bodismay be s diecl u rj l f moneay,
t s lstl hat oc l r ng
e
ued r ty nde 983 or
tr

d ca ao y,o ijmcie rle wh n a u c n ttto a a tCmp e n so e e ue a p lc
e lr tr r nt tv eif e n n o siuin l c d lme t r x c ts oiy
i
sa e
tt ment or na e r a i orde ii ofii l a e a pr
, di nc , egulton,
c son fcaly dopt d nd omul t by t tbody'
gaed
ha
s

ofi r. M onelv.De tofSoc.Se vs ofN. ,436 U. 658,690 ( 978) The c thas
fces'
'
l
p'
r .
Y.
S.
1 .
our
a r a de e m i d t pl i ifha s a e a M onel cl i a i tt A ut iy,a whet rt
l e dy t r ne hat a ntf s t t d
l a m ga ns he hort nd
he he

Auhort a ise oye ha sae s r i i
t iy nd t mpl es ve tt ove egn mmuniy wilnoti c t scai Seeta
t l
mpa t hi l m.
t
l

(d
C
congrs di i e mu cpalte a ot r l a govemne unis t be i l d a
e s d ntnd nii iis nd he oc l
r nt t o ncude mong

t epes nst whom j 1 a is' (mpha i i orgi l.Furhemor i i blc lte
hos ro o
983 pple .) e
'
ss n i na) t r e, t s a k-etr
V i g ni 1 w t t s a e of i i l a e no e il t s r i n i m t t whe t y c m i a
r i a a ha t t f c a s r t ntted o ove e g m miy
n he om t n
ie i
nt ntonalt to ac s c tt i gr s neg i nce.See e. ,Coppag v.M a 906 F.Supp.
or r t onsiutng os
lge
, g.
e
nn,

1 25,l ( D.Va.1 ) Tomlnv. c nze 468S. 2d882,884( 1 ) Byplusbl
0 047 E.
995 ;
i M Ke i,
E.
Va. 996 .
a iy
aleg ng de i r t i f e e e a pa tof he M o l c a m ,Thor l ha a s r e m or t n
l i
lbe a e ndif r nc s r
r ne l l i
nhil s s e t d
e ha

meen gie c b t eAuh rt . ee o e a t ij n t r, te t eAuh rt i e tte t
r e l n e y h to iy Th r f r, t h s u cu e wheh r h to iy s n ild o
g
s r i n i m uniy unde t l w s of t Com m o ea t of V i g ni i no c e di pos tve.
ove e g m
t
r he a
he
nw lh
r i a s t as - s ii
Thi al s d couns agai tcertfcaton.
s one houl
el ns
ii i

3

Howe r t c ta s bele t tt a lbl a hort on t is de o taes
ve , he our lo ives ha he vaia e ut iy
he s ue m nsr t
t t ce tf c ton i unnec s a y a i ppr i t l i t ue t t t r i a s i be w e n t
ha ri i a i s
e s r nd na opr a e. t s r ha he e s plt t e he

dititc t i t sCic ta t whehe r gi lj la hortesaee ildt saes ei
src ours n hi rui s o t r e ona ai ut ii r ntte o tt over gn
i uniy.Com pre Ha h v.So he se n Ti wae Oppo t t Pr ec ,l ,420 F.Supp.
mm t
ut
ut a tr de tr
runiv oi t nc.

l ( D.Va 1 6 (o dn t t rg o lj i a t o i e ae no e tte t s v r in
71 E.
. 97 ) h l ig ha e ina al u h rt s r t n i d o o eeg
i
l
i niyl He kenli ev.Va.Re lPeni ul J lAu- ,2006 U. Dit LEXI 7 9 ( D.
mmu t ; c abl
g' ns a ai- t
h.
S. s.
S 971 E.
Va.Nov.l 200 (ame ;Born v.Norhwe tr Re lJ lAut ,201 U. Dit LEXI
, 6) s l
e
t sen c' ai h. 3 S. s.
S

1 69 ( . Va.Se .Se .30,201 )(a ) He
401 W D.
pt pt
3 s me ; ywood v.Va.Pe ns a Reg' J lAut ,
ni ul
l ai h.
201 U. Dit LEXI 11 7 ( D.Va.J y 21 201 (a ) rpor a rc
5 S. s.
S 251 E.
ul , 5) sme, e t nd e omme ton
ndai
a ptd,201 U. Dit LEXI l11 ( D.Va.Aug.21 201 ) wih Dowdy v.Pamunke
do e
5 S. s.
S 249 E.
, 5, t
y

Reg' J i Aut ,201 U. Dit LEXI 671 ( D.Va.May 1 201 (i ng t tt
l al h. 4 S. s.
S 27 E.
5, 4) fndi ha he

rg c lj i a to iy wa s ile by s v r in i nt ) Ad iimal,n ih rt e Fo rh
e ima al uh rt s h ed d
o eeg mmu iy . d t l ete h u t
c y
Cic t t Supr me Co tof Vigni,nor a Co tof Appe s of Vigi a ha ha t
r ui, he
e
ur
ri a
ny ur
al
r ni ve d he
oppor u t t a w e t s que ton.Neve t e s t e f de a di ti tcours a one V igi a
t niy o ns r hi
si
rhel s , hz e e r l sr c
t nd
r ni

Cic t Co r ha e d tr n d t a r go a j i a t o iis ae no e tte t s v r in
rui u t v eemie h t e in l al uh rte r t n i d o o eeg
l
i
mmuniy unde t lwsofVigi a Se Fi
t
r he a
r ni. e namor v.Trnt No.CL1 000881 a * ( Ci.
e
e,
5, t 2 Va. r

Ct Od. 20l (ummarzngt c ehit y)
. 27, 6) s
ii he as sor .
To be e il d t s r in i mt t t Au hort mus et rbean la m oft St e'
ntte o ove eg m miy, he t iy
t ihe
dr
he at'
or be c i r d a m uni i lc por ton pe f m i a gove muen a f ton.Bor n,201 U .
ons de e
c pa or a i
r or ng
r
t l unc i
e
3 S.
D i t LEX I 1 69,a *10;s e a s V EPCO v.Ha p on Rede & H o i Aut ,225 S. 2d
s.
S 401
t
e lo
m t
v.
usng
h.
E.

364,364- ( 1
65 Va. 976)(nayzi whehe t Hampt Re veopme tHousngAut iywa
a l ng t r he
on de l n
i
hort s
an ar of t s at and af or sover gn i m uniy,or a m t i pal cor aton ald af orded
m
he t e,
f ded
ei m
t
m ci
por i
l f

s ri i
ove egn mmuniy fr is goven nt f tons.ts a t ehol matr Iti cla t t
t o t
rme al unci ) l. hr s d te , i s e r ha
ys
4

Vignar go a j isa en ta a' o a e c o tesae' Fia r, C11 - 0 8 1 a 3
r ii e i n l al r o n l r g n y f h tt.' n mo e No. ,5 0 0 8 , t
m
'
(iigBo e 2 3U. Dit LEXI 1 01 9 . rgo a j i a to iyr q rsl c la tv to
ctn rn, 01 S. s.
S 4 6 ) A e in l al uh rt e uie o a ciain
t c i oe se e,a s ha i ton ' gae gheAut iy'jsausasasaea ncyor
o ome nt xitnc nd uc ctvai t ts t
ne
hort s tt
tt ge
an t nu'of t Co m onw e t ' Ct of Yor v.Pe ns a A ipor Com m ' 369 S. 2d 665,
a
he m
alh. y.
'
k
ni ul r t
n,
E.

666n. ( 1 ( tngPrndecas v.Pak Aut ,31 S. 2d 399,401( 1 4:.Thus t
1 Va. 988) cii e r t r h. 3 E.
Va. 98
,o
be s el d by s ve e g i m uniy,t Aut iy m us be c i r d a m uni i l c por ton
hi de
o rin m
t he
hort
t
ons de e
c pa or a i
per onui a gover ent f i
f ng
nm al uncton.

The Supr m e Coul ha e e a e s x f c or t t a e t e e e s nta ' t t
e
' s num r t d i a t s ha r i m d s e i l' o he
t
de
de e na i ofwhe he a e iy s d be c i r d a m uni i lco po a i n:
t nni ton
t r n ntt houl
ons de e
c pa r r to

( )Cr ton a abody c port a poltca asapoltc ls vii oft
1 eai s
or ae nd ii nd
iia ubdi son he
Com m onw ealh'
t,

( Crai t sl eapublcpur e;
2) e ton o e'
v
i pos
( Powe t ha a c
3)
r o ve ommon s l t s a bes d,t e e i o c r t t
ea, o ue nd ue o ntr nt ontacs o
a qui e hol a dipos ofisr ve ,pe s land r a pr pe t
c r , d nd s e t e nue r ona
e l o ry;

( Posesi oft po rofe ne d i ,
4) s son he we mi nt oman'
( Powe t bon- mo y a is bo whih aetx e mpt wih i ees
5)
r o ow ne nd sue nds c r a xe , t ntr t
o s c b n se j yn t es mesau u d rtxlwsa teitr s o b n s
n u h o d no ig h a tt s n e a a s h ne et n o d
ofot poltc s di s onsoft s a e;
her ii al ub vi i
he t t

( M a e nt of t c porton vetd i a boad of die t s
6) nag me
he or ai
se n
r
rcor
c m i s on.
om s i

Rihmondv.Ril
c
cunond Meto.Aut ,1 S. 2d 83l 832 ( l .Hee,t r i no de t
r
h. 72 E.
,
Va. 970) r hee s
bae
t tt Aut iylc t oft sx ati es ( )ce ton a abody c port andpoltca
ha he hort a ks wo he i trbut : 1 rai s
or ae
ii nd

a apoltca s vii oft Commo lh, nd ( t po rofemi domai
s ii l ubdi son he
nweat a 2) he we
nent
n.
The c t r ogni e t t t r s e s t be s e co us o a t w he he a l s x
our ec
z s ha he e e m o
om
nf i n s o
t r l i
atri es are necessar t be cons der a m uni pal cor aton.W hen t V igi a Supr e
t but
y o
i ed
ci
por i
he r ni
em

C o ' ha vi ie t i s i has de e m i d t t t e iy i que ton pos e s a l sx
ul s s t d he s ue, t
t
t r ne ha he ntt n
si
s s ed l i
atr but and w as, t
ti es,
heret e, a m uni pal cor aton. See H am pt Roads Saniaton D i .
br
ci
por i
qn
t i
st

Comm ' v.Smih,68 S. 2d 497,500 ( .
n
t
E.
Va

(itng t t ti e of a munii l
lsi he û rbuts
at
cpa

c porton' a fndi t e iy ha t m al;Rihmo M er Aut ,1 S. 2d a 647
or ai ' nd i ng he ntt d he l) c nd to. h. 72 E. t
(a ) VEPCO, 225 S. 2d at 364 (t munii l housng a ho iy poseses al t e
s me ;
E.
$
A
cpa
i ut rt
s s 1 hos
ati es'l Ct ofYor 369S. 2d a 667 ( tng t tt e iy pos e sd çalt e s nil
trbut . ; y.
'
k,
E. t
noi ha he ntt s se ûl he s e ta

ati es of a munii l c porto ).Howe r bot t Supr Co tof Vigi a and
trbut
cpa or ain'
ve , h he
eme ur
r ni
f de aldititcours have i c t d t tal sx ati es ma no be r quie Se Ha on
e r src
t
ndia e ha l i trbut
y t
e r d. e mpt

Roa ,68 S. 2d a 5 (;lti tue t tt mor ati e ofa munii c porton a
ds
E. t 01 d(1 s r ha he e trbuts
cpal or ai n
age yha t mor lkey i i t b te td asamunii lc portonx';He
nc s he e i l t s o e r ae
cpa or ai ' ywood,201 U.
)
5 S.

Dit LEXI 11 7,a *11 1 (klti nota c ton pr e ntt tal sx be pr e t
s.
S 251 t - 2 4g1 s
ondii ec de ha l i
esnt o
c ude t ta eniy i a muni pa c porton. W heheri i nec s ay t tt e iy
oncl ha n tt s
ci l or ai '
). t t s e s r ha he ntt
pos e s a lsx a t i e i oflt l i po ti t i t ntc e,
s s l i trbut s s ite m r n he nsa as howe r ast A u hort l c t
ve , he t iy a ks he

t a ti est os i rnsc t m t cpa c r a i .'l a *12.C) con r s,m os oft
wo trbut t t nti i o mii l o por tons' d. t
m
t y ta t
l
t he

atiue wh c g eAuh rtqd e e j yaef u i p iaec mo ain a wel'd.
trb ts ih t
h to i o s no r o nd n rv t o rto s s 1. 1
y
'
The Supr m e Co t of V igi a ha s i t t e i n dom a n ti a hi y pr r tve
e
ur
r ni s a d ha m ne t
i cs
ghl e oga i

rght a t r i no do t abo t powe of t sa e t e r ie i, o t dee t i t
i , nd he e s
ub
ut he
r he tt o xe cs t r o lga e t o

s di t a ncest bee r s d.... Lihtv. nvil,1 S. 276,28 ( 1 .tl e
ubor nae ge i o xecie
' c Da le 90 E.
'
7 Va. 937) t-h
s a ut s confr i t po e ar t be sr c l c tued. I l Ham pt Roa ,t Su e e
tt e
im ng he w r e o
ti ty onsr ' d. n
'
on
ds he pr m

Cou tofVigi ar i ona ho iyfom difrntj idito i atc ai t ati e ofa
r
r ni eled ut rt r
fee urs cins n riultng he trbuts

muncp lc r o ain.6 S. 2 a 5 .M a y o t e ejlidcin n td t e i ra c o
ii a o p rto 8 E.d t 01 n f h s k s ito s o e h mpo tn e f
r
e ne do i Se W elsv.Housng Aut ofW imi t 1 S. 693,697 ( C.1 )
mi nt man. e l
i
h.
l ngon, 97 E.
N. 938
(k housng a ho iy ...i f apublc g
$
A
i ut rt
s or
i ovemme a pur e,and i gi n powesg e ty i
ntl pos
s ve
r r al n
e s of t e w hi h m i be gi n a pr va e e er i e i l ng m a po er no
xce s
hos
c
ght
ve ny i t nt pr s , nc udi
ny w s t
di si iar t t e exer s by cii and t
s m l o hos
ci ed
tes
owns i r d t zoni sr t and s dew al and
n egar o
ng, tee s
i
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e ne doman ....) N-ue c nde v.W as l on S ba Sa tr Co n,48A.
mi nt
i
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'
hîmt ubur n niay mm'
2d

5 3 5 7 ( d.1 4 )(kTh S n tr Co sin c np rh s ln a de ecs tep we of
9 , 9 M 9 5 ( e a iay mmiso q a u c a e a d n x rie h o r
(
e ne t doman.) l s ms t tt powe of e ne domai i a hal r f t e of a
mi n
i ' . t ee ha he
'
r
mi nt
n s
lmak eaur
m uni pa co po a i n.
ci l r r to
Furhe
t nuor ,S he Ge r lAs e bl c e ry know s how t denom i t a a hort as a
e t
t
ne a s m y l a l
o
na e n ut iy
û ii a s vi i w he i w ihe t do s ' Shor Pum p To n Ct. Cm t D e Aut v.
poltc l ubdi s on'
n t s s o
o.
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t
w
r
v. v. h.

Ha 554 S. 2d 441 4 ( . 2001. l d, doc nt fom t Vigi a lgilt e
hn,
E.
, 46 Va
) ndee
ume s r he r ni e saur
de o t a e t t t G e r l As e bl of Vi gi a has add e s d t i s of t s r i
m nsr t ha he ne a
sm y
r ni
r s e he s ue
he ove e gn

i nt o rgo a j i a to iisa dh sd ci e t g a ts c p oe t n.n 2 4 a da an
mmu iy f e in l al uh rt n a e ln d o rn u h r tci l 01 n g i
e
o
i 201 a bilw as i r
n
5, l
ntoduc i t Vigi a Ge r lA s em bl wih t pur e of gr ntng
ed n he r ni ne a s
y t he pos
a i

s veeg i nt t r go a j i a t rte .Se H. 5 ,Ge Ase . Re .Se s ( .
o rin mmu iy o e in l al uho i s e B.1 0 n. s mb, g s . Va
i
20l *H. 1 1 Ge Ase ,Re Se s Va 20l .l boh ye r,t bil wee not
4) B. 5 3, n. s mb. g. s .( . 5) n t a s he ls r
,
e ce
na t d.

Th ito u to o a bi ta wo l s il rgo a j i a t o iis wi s v r in
e nr d cin f l h t u d hed e in l al u h rte t o eeg
l
h
i
mmunt i a ce r idc to ta te Vigni Ge ea Ase l i a r t a r go a j i
i s la n iain h t h r i a n rl s mby s wae h t e in l al
y
aut ii do not pos e s s fc e atr b e Of a m uni i l c por tc t be ves e wih
hortes
s s uf i i nt ti ut s
c pa or a im o
td t
s r i i m uniy unde Vi gi a l w , o a e ot r s not a a m of t s a e Tha t
ove e gn m
t
r r ni a
r r he wi e
n r
he t t .
t he
l gi l t e has de de not t e e s h pr t c i o t a e t s a ut gr ntng t
e s a ur
ci d
o xt nd uc
o e ton, r o m nd he t t e a i he

e s nilat b tso amu ii a c r o ain t rgo a j i a t rte ,f rh rd mo tae
se ta tl u e f
i
ncp l o p rto o e in l al uho i s ' te e nsr ts
i u
t tt ee iisdono ha s hi
ha hes ntte
t ve uc mmuniy.Sho tPu 55 S. 2da 447 (:Int a e
t
r mp, 4 E. t
tr) he bsnee
of a s a ut r de i na i of co m uniy de opm e a hortes as ç ii al s vi i ns '
ny t t o y s g ton
m
t vel
nt ut ii
poltc ubdi s o ,

ghe SuprmeCour ofVigi a c udegjt tt gntt i nots h.) Theei smpl no
t
e
t
r ni) oncl s ha he e iyj s
uc ' . r s i y
'
need t i ve t Supre e Court of V igi a w hen t l sl ure has dem onsr ed is
o nvol he
m
r ni
he egi at
tat t
know l
edge oft i sue and pass on i .See V ili a Tr i Co.v.Ti 73 S. 2d 405,409
he s
ed
t
r ni anst
dd,
E.

( .l 2)(kti nott f ton oft cour t lgilt o t us t ofieofc tuci t
Va 95 tl s he unci
he t o e sae r o e he fc
onsr ton o
a ndpl nsaues' .
me ai ttt .'
)
Fi ly, de e nt a g t t bec us V igi a s r f s a e e il d t s a e s r i
na l
f nda s r ue ha
a e r ni he i f r ntte o t t ove e gn
i m uniy w he pe f m i di c e i r ac s a be a e t s r f s st on a boa d t t
m
t
n r or ng s r tona y t , nd c us he he if i
r ha

o es e te rg o l ala t rtent e s eifsi nt to tr u h t t e rg o a j i
v re s h e ina j i uhoiis h h rf mmu i l ws h o g o h e in l al
y
a ho iy s r nt nde t a e pl ye .The c tco t u t s as e ton t be a a gum en
ut r t upe i e n s nd m o es
our nsr es hi s ri o
n r
t

t tt Aut iy i a a ntof t s rf.To t e e t tt s a s ri may be a novel
ha he hort s n ge
he he if
he xt nt ha hi s e ton
a gum e , t c t do no be i ve t t t m e e exi t nce of a ne l ga t r w a
r
nt he our es t le ha he r
se
w e l heo y nunt
s

c ri c to kcjriiai i ne rc
e tt ain.t e tfc ton s ve ompeld,a t sco 'rmansunde a d y t decde
i
g
le nd hi ul e i
t
r ut o i
q tons of sae lw,eve i difc tand unc ran .... Lega d v.EOT Pr Co. 771 F.
uesi
tt a
n f fiul
e ti
'
'
r
od. ,

Supp.2d 607,609 ( . Va.2011 (one ,J) M orove,e tfc ton i unne say whe
W D.
) J s .. e r eriiai s
ce sr
n
e s i c s l w pe m ist c r t r a h a k e one a prnc pl d c l i n. Se Lynn v.
xi tng a e a
r t he ou t o e c ' as d nd i i e onc us o ' e
r
'

M onac Re ovey M gmt.l ,953 F.Supp.2d 61 6 ( M d.201 )(ii Si on v.
rh c r
. nc.
2, 22 D.
3 ctng mps

DukeEnegyCpr , 98- 06,1 U. App.LEXI 21 ( hCi.Sep . 1 )
r. p,No. 19 999 S.
S 553 4t r t 8, 999).
H e e,t e i am pl c s l w addr s i w he an e pl
r her s
e ae a
e sng
n
m oyee ofa sat a nc i e il d
t e ge y s ntte

t s rin i
o oveeg mmuniy.Se e. ,J mesv.Jne 28 S. 2d 864 ( 1 (riultng f
t e, c. a
a , 2 E.
Va. 980) a tc ai our
f c or t be c i r d i de e m i ng whe he t a nt or of i e of t Com m onwea t i
at s o
ons de e n t r ni
t r he ge
fc r
he
1h s

e edi adicetonar a ts ed bys rin i
ngag n sr i y c hiled oveeg mmuniy) Si lry,t Su e Cour of
t . mial he prme
t
V igi a has a s add e s t pr di t que ton'whe he a e tt or i vi uali a a ntof
r ni
l o r s ed he e ca e s i . t r n n iy ndi d
s n ge
t Co m onw e lh, e il d t s ve ei i m uniy f di cr tona y a t , o a i pe nt
he m
a t ntte o o r gn m
t or s e i r c s r n nde nde

conrcora notg a ed s h i
ta t nd
r nt uc mmuniy.Se At ns v.Sa l 541S. 2d 902,905 (
t e ki on
cmo,
E.
Va.
2001.W hatvert meisofdee nt'a sri t r i s fce auhort f t c tt
)
e he rt
fnda s s eton, hee s ufiint t iy or he our o
m ake a tr oned and prnci ed concl on' ast t m ater.Lvnn,953 F.Supp.2d a 622.
keas
i pl
usi ' o he t
t

Furhe
t nnor t s a g e pr e s a f t ,notl gal i uiy.So r i i m uniy f
e, hi r um nt es nt ac ual
e , nq r
ve e gn m
t or
go r en a e pl es i a afim a i de e e r quii t t t de e nt pr ce t n
ve nm t l m oye s n f r tve f ns e rng ha he f nda
ove rai

is soffc.Sç W hily v.Co
sue
a t e te
mmonwe lh,538 S. 2d 296,302 ( .2000)(dsj r g
at
E.
Va
ig oveein
i m uniy i a de ensve pl a pr s ntng di tnc i s o f c w hi i pr d,c ea e a ba t a
m
t s
f i
e ee i
s i t s ues f a t ch, f ove r t
ro

pli ifs rghto rc r '.W hehe one i a e oye ormor aki t a i pe nt
antf i f e ove y.)
'
tr
s n mpl e
e n o n nde nde
co rcori as a i ens yf t lquesin.Se At ns 541S. 2d a 905( i t tt
nta t s lo n nt el acua
to e ki on,
E. t
notng ha he

sat asa e oyeeori tume aiy oft sae i us ly aque ton off t.Rul 52 of
t us n mpl
nsr ntlt he tt s ual
si
ac) e 40
t Rul of t Su em e Cour of V igi a pr d t t t Cou tm a a w e tqu tons of
he
es he pr
t
r ni ovi es ha he
r
y ns r t es i
l w . A c or ngl c r i i a i i not a opra e i t s m a t r a t cou t w il de
a ' c di y, e tf c ton s
'
ppr i t n hi
te nd he
r l ny
de e
f ndant 'm oton.
s
i
Concl i
us on

Fort f e ng r a ons t c t ilde t m oton t c r iy.The Cl r i diec e
he or goi e s , he our w l ny he
i o e tf
ek s r td
t s nd ce tfe co e oft sm e or ndum opi o a t a om pa ng or rt al c uns
o e
rii d pi s hi m a
ni n nd he cc
nyi
de o l o el
ofr c d.
e or
D A TED : s X
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d yo- y, 2017.
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e
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