Edgar Sepulveda, in his capacity as Trustee of the 7 Half Mile Road Living Trust v. John Buffum

Syllabus

Edgar Sepulveda appealed from Superior Court judgments in favor of John Buffum and Angie Salem on: (1) Sepulveda's claim for adverse possession; and (2) Buffum and Salem's claims for trespass and declaratory relief. On appeal, Sepulveda argued that the trial justice erred in finding that Sepulveda's exclusive use of the disputed area did not begin until 2016 or 2017, thereby falling short of the ten-year exclusive use element of adverse possession. Sepulveda also contended that the trial justice reached this conclusion erroneously by finding his testimony wanting in credibility. Upon reviewing the record, the Supreme Court held that the trial justice's findings were well within his discretion and were sufficient to reject the credibility of Sepulveda and Steven Rufino, a witness who testified at trial. Ultimately, the Court affirmed the judgments of the Superior Court, concluding that the trial justice's findings were not clearly erroneous or born out of evidentiary misconceptions, or that they failed to provide justice between the parties.