Opinion ID: 1556296
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The trial court erred in denying Barnes' motion for a new trial as the verdict was against the overwhelming weight of the evidence.

Text: ¶ 16. Barnes was indicted for embezzling the $3,000 under Mississippi Code Section 99-23-19, which provides, in relevant part: If any director, agent, clerk, servant, or officer of any incorporated company, or if any trustee or factor, carrier or bailee, or any clerk, agent or servant of any private person, shall embezzle or fraudulently secrete, conceal, or convert to his own use, or make way with, or secrete with intent to embezzle or convert to his own use, any goods, rights in action, money, or other valuable security, effects, or property of any kind or description which shall have come or been intrusted to his care or possession by virtue of his office, place, or employment, either in mass or otherwise, with a value of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) or more, he shall be guilty of felony embezzlement, and, upon conviction thereof, shall be imprisoned in the Penitentiary not more than ten (10) years, or fined not more than Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00), or both. Miss.Code Ann. § 97-23-19 (Rev.2003). ¶ 17. This Court reviews a trial court's denial of a motion for new trial under an abuse-of-discretion standard. Dilworth v. State, 909 So.2d 731, 737 (Miss. 2005). A greater quantum of evidence favoring the [S]tate is necessary for the [S]tate to withstand a motion for a new trial, as distinguished from a motion for J.N.O.V. Id. (quoting Pharr v. State, 465 So.2d 294, 302 (Miss.1984)). Accordingly, we defer to the discretion of the trial judge, and `[w]e 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.' McLendon v. State, 945 So.2d 372, 385 (Miss.2006) (quoting Groseclose v. State, 440 So.2d 297, 300 (Miss.1983)). This Court further has said: However, the evidence should be weighed in the light most favorable to the verdict. A reversal on the grounds that the verdict was against the overwhelming weight of the evidence, unlike a reversal based on insufficient evidence, does not mean that acquittal was the only proper verdict. Rather, as the thirteenth juror, the court simply disagrees with the jury's resolution of the conflicting testimony. This difference of opinion does not signify acquittal any more than a disagreement among the jurors themselves. Instead, the proper remedy is to grant a new trial. Dilworth, 909 So.2d at 737. ¶ 18. Barnes asserts that the verdict was not supported by the overwhelming weight of the evidence because too much weight was placed on Montague's testimony. Barnes also asserts that Montague's testimony was riddled with inconsistencies and contradictions. Barnes' claim is an exaggeration not supported by the record in this matter. ¶ 19. Barnes asserts that statements about whether she returned to the home after the attack and whether Montague had an additional set of house keys were contradictory. However, it is rational to assume that since Montague had just been attacked, was treated at the scene and then taken to the hospital, she may not have realized whether Barnes returned to the scene. Further, various parts of the record are contradictory as to which keys were even taken. More importantly though, neither of these statements has anything to do with the embezzlement. ¶ 20. Barnes further asserts that Montague's most damaging contradiction occurred when she acknowledged Carolyn's conversation with Charles, her son, outside the Mutual Credit Union. Barnes asserts that because Montague admitted that Charles asked what the pair was doing at the credit union and Barnes responded she would tell him later, that it somehow proves that Montague was hiding something from Charles. However, this argument is nonsensical. There is no contradiction in the record regarding what was said by and to Charles at the credit union. The only contradictions regarding the credit union are Barnes' various versions of what occurred there. Barnes failed to mention anything about the credit union to investigators. When Lewis specifically asked Barnes during the interview whether the pair stopped at the credit union, Barnes indicated that the pair stopped at the bank so Montague could withdraw money. Further, Barnes said the pair then proceeded to the credit union because Montague wanted to withdraw more money, but that they saw Charles and Montague changed her mind. [3] Barnes then indicated that, upon changing her mind, Montague told Barnes to go in and get some change. However, this scenario was contradicted by both Barnes herself and other evidence in the record. Barnes testified at trial that, after they left the bank and as they were driving, Montague indicated she needed some change, so Barnes stopped at the credit union. The surveillance video indicated that Barnes did nothing, and did not even get change, upon entering the credit union. Further, the video, Montague, and Barnes' statement established that Charles was not there before Barnes went into the credit union, but came up as Barnes exited. The evidence presented at trial established that Barnes was employed by Montague. The evidence also established that Montague entrusted Barnes with $3,000 to deposit into Joyce's account. Further, Barnes failed to deposit the money, but instead secreted it for her own use. ¶ 21. Barnes has failed to establish that the trial court abused its discretion in denying the motion for new trial. Further, Barnes has failed to establish that the verdict is contrary to the overwhelming weight of the evidence. Therefore, this issue is without merit.