In 2002, the State of Tennessee condemned a strip of land and a 625 square-foot building from its owners, the Meeks. The state offered the Meeks $30,550, which they could have accepted while keeping the remainder of their 1/3 acre lot. However, property owners in condemnation cases have a right to have a jury determine the amount of “just compensation,” and the Meeks wanted to proceed to trial.
Property owners also have the right to withdraw the amount deposited by the government while the case goes forward. The state deposited the $30,550 with the court, and the Meeks withdrew the money.
While the case was pending, the Meeks sold the rest of the property but retained the rights to the condemnation proceeds. Meanwhile, the state also revised its opinion as to the value of the property acquired—to $15,000 less than what they originally offered.
The Meeks were represented by an attorney at different times during the course of this case but ultimately went to trial representing themselves, or pro se.
At trial, the state’s expert appraiser testified that the value of the property acquired was $15,250. Mr. Meek testified and argued that he was entitled to $93,727.00. The jury returned a verdict for $15,250.
The Meeks appealed the trial court’s decision, but the jury’s verdict was affirmed.
At the end of the case, not only did the Meeks not get the judgment they sought, but under the condemnation law are required to repay the state $15,300 (the difference in the amount of the deposit of $30,550 they previously withdrew from the court and the judgment of $15,250) plus interest.
This case took more than 9 years to go to trial and another 2 years to complete the appeal.
Read more about this case:
State of Tennessee v. E.G. Meek et al., No. E2012-01177-COA-R3-CV, December 13, 2013
