Opinion ID: 1839568
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: the trial court committed error in denying appellant's motion for directed verdict because the prosecution failed to prove its case against the appellant, and the verdict was against the overwhelming weight of the evidence, and the verdict evidences bias and prejudice against the appellant, and was based solely upon suspicion and speculation.

Text: ¶ 21. Jones alleges that the State failed to prove its case against her and that the verdict was against the overwhelming weight of the evidence. In determining whether a jury verdict is against the overwhelming weight of the evidence, this Court must accept as true the evidence which supports the verdict. This Court will reverse only where the trial court abused its discretion in not granting a new trial. Isaac v. State, 645 So.2d 903, 907 (Miss. 1994) (citations omitted). In considering a motion for a directed verdict, this Court on review must consider the evidence introduced in the light most favorable to the State, accepting all evidence introduced by the State as true, together with all reasonable inferences therefrom. If there is sufficient evidence to support a guilty verdict, the motion for a directed verdict must be overruled. Smith v. State, 646 So.2d 538, 542 (Miss. 1994). This Court will not order a new trial unless convinced that the verdict is so contrary to the overwhelming weight of the evidence that, to allow it to stand, would be to sanction an unconscionable injustice. Robinson v. State, 662 So.2d 1100, 1105 (Miss. 1995). It has long been the case law of this state that malice aforethought, premeditated design, and deliberate design all mean the same thing. Windham v. State, 602 So.2d 798, 801 (Miss. 1992). ¶ 22. As previously stated, there is some evidence that Jones provided the gun to Daniels, and even more evidence that Jones encouraged Daniels to shoot McClenton. Given the standard of review, the facts tending to support the jury verdict should be taken as true. We conclude that there was credible evidence to support a jury finding that Jones aided and abetted in the shooting of McClenton.