Opinion ID: 1846306
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Legal Sufficiency and Weight of the Evidence

Text: ¶ 20. Brown asserts that his conviction for uttering a forged check is not supported by legally sufficient evidence or the weight of the evidence because there are inconsistencies in witness testimony. ¶ 21. On the issue of legal sufficiency, a reversal can only occur when evidence of one or more of the elements of the charged offense is such that reasonable and fair-minded jurors could only find the accused not guilty. Dickey v. State, 819 So.2d 1253, 1256 (Miss.2002). The standard of review for a denial of a directed verdict, peremptory instruction and a J.N.O.V. are identical. Coleman v. State, 697 So.2d 777, 787 (Miss.1997). In McClain v. State, 625 So.2d 774, 778 (Miss. 1993), this Court held that a motion for J.N.O.V., motion for directed verdict and a request for peremptory instruction challenge the legal sufficiency of the evidence. Since each requires consideration of the evidence before the court when made, this Court properly reviews the ruling on the last occasion the challenge was made in the trial court. This occurred when the Circuit Court overruled [the] motion for JNOV. Id. (citing Wetz v. State, 503 So.2d 803, 807-08 (Miss.1987)). ¶ 22. It is well established that matters regarding the weight of the evidence are to be resolved by the jury. Neal v. State, 451 So.2d 743, 758 (Miss. 1984); Danner v. State, 748 So.2d 844, 846 (Miss.Ct.App.1999). The court is bound by the jury findings upon an issue presented by the instruction requested by the [defendant]. Kinney v. State, 336 So.2d 493, 496 (Miss.1976). A motion for a new trial challenges the weight of the evidence. Sheffield v. State, 749 So.2d 123, 127 (Miss. 1999). A reversal is warranted only if the trial court abused its discretion in denying a motion for new trial. Id. (citing Gleeton v. State, 716 So.2d 1083 (Miss.1998)). This Court held in McFee v. State, 511 So.2d 130, 133 (Miss.1987), that it has limited authority to interfere with a jury verdict. The Court looks at all the evidence in the light that is most consistent with the jury verdict. Id. The prosecution is given the benefit of all favorable inferences that may reasonably be drawn from the evidence. Id. [I]f there is in the record substantial evidence of such quality and weight that, having in mind the beyond a reasonable doubt burden of proof standard, reasonable and fair-minded jurors in the exercise of impartial judgment might have reached different conclusions, the verdict of guilty is thus placed beyond our authority to disturb. Id. at 133-34. See also May v. State, 460 So.2d 778, 781 (Miss.1984). A new trial will not be granted unless the verdict is so contrary to the overwhelming weight of the evidence that an unconscionable injustice would occur by allowing the verdict to stand. Groseclose v. State, 440 So.2d 297, 300 (Miss.1983). See also Danner v. State, 748 So.2d at 846. However, if a jury verdict convicting a defendant is against the overwhelming weight of the evidence, then the remedy is to grant a new trial. Collier v. State, 711 So.2d 458, 461 (Miss.1998). ¶ 23. As to the credibility of witnesses, this Court in Gathright v. State, 380 So.2d 1276 (Miss.1980), has held that in a criminal prosecution the jury may accept the testimony of some witnesses and reject that of others, and that they may accept in part and reject in part the evidence on behalf of the state or on behalf of the accused. In other words, the credibility of witnesses is not for the reviewing court. Id. at 1278 (citing Davis v. State, 320 So.2d 789 (Miss.1975)). ¶ 24. In the case sub judice, the evidence met the legal sufficiency test and the weight of the evidence test for a denial of the motion for J.N.O.V. and the motion for a new trial. Evans provided sufficient testimony to identify Brown as the man who passed the forged check. Evans recounted at trial why Brown stood out in her memory: (1) because he questioned her about female hygiene products, (2) he disputed his change, and (3) he had an argument on his cell phone with someone that he claimed was his wife. Evans recalled accepting the check in question from Brown in exchange for $90.00 worth of groceries. She recalled the color of the original check when shown a photocopy of the check. ¶ 25. We find that the evidence presented to the jury was legally sufficient and that the guilty verdict is not against the overwhelming weight of the evidence. Accordingly, on June 19, 2001, the trial court correctly denied both the motion for J.N.O.V. and a new trial. This issue is without merit.