Opinion ID: 1859680
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: verdict contrary to the overwhelming weight of the credible evidence

Text: ¶ 51. Madere argues that the verdict was against the overwhelming weight of the evidence. Madere bases his argument on the fact that the jury took over eight hours to deliberate, the lack of investigation done by the officers and the inconsistencies in Medina's testimony with her prior statements. However, Madere's argument on appeal focuses primarily on the inconsistencies in Medina's statements. Besides her testimony at trial, Medina also gave an account of the events in question to Seal; the nurses at the hospital, Struth and Reihle; and Officer Strong. ¶ 52. Madere claims on appeal that Medina's whole story was a total fabrication. Madere points out that at trial Medina could not recall whether Madere had French kissed her. In a previous statement, Medina stated that her mouth smelled like smoke because Madere put his tongue in her mouth. Medina testified at trial that Madere bit her breast in contrast to her previous statements that Madere had sucked her breasts. ¶ 53. This Court has held that the motion for a new trial is addressed to the sound discretion of the trial court. Burge v. State, 472 So.2d 392, 397 (Miss. 1985). The credible evidence consistent with [a defendant's] guilt must be accepted as true. The prosecution must be given the benefit of all favorable inferences that may be reasonably drawn from the evidence. McClain v. State, 625 So.2d 774, 778 (Miss.1993). See Van Buren v. State, 498 So.2d 1224, 1228 (Miss.1986). This Court stated it will reverse only when it is convinced that the trial judge has abused his discretion. Malone v. State, 486 So.2d 360, 366 (Miss.1986); Quinn v. State, 479 So.2d 706, 710 (Miss.1985). ¶ 54. Seal testified at trial on direct examination for the defense. Seal had known Medina since 1963. Medina had called Seal's home on the night of September 17, 1998. Seal's husband, Allen Seal, handed Seal the phone to talk to Medina. Medina was hysterical, and Seal could not understand Medina on the phone. Seal and her husband immediately went to Medina's trailer to see what was wrong with her. Seal stated that all she could determine was that something bad had happened to Medina. ¶ 55. Seal testified that Medina told her that the young man that cut her grass had knocked on her door and told her he needed to used the bathroom. Medina told Seal that Madere went to the bathroom and the next thing she remembered was that she was lying on the bed in the back room with her body half on and half off the bed. Madere was in the bed. Medina told her that Madere raped her and did more stuff to her. Seal testified that Medina said she was frightened of him, but he did not use any weapon on her. Seal recounted that Medina told her that they went into the bathroom and cleaned up together. Seal, along her husband, Allen, and his friend, Frank Summers and her neighbor, Alton Gray, transported Medina to the hospital. ¶ 56. Both, Struth and Reihle, described Medina as being hysterical when brought to the hospital. The hospital report indicated that Medina had stated that Madere had sucked on her breast. Medina testified at trial that Madere had bitten her breast. No bruises, tears, bleeding or bite marks were documented. The doctor notes in the report documented no semen was found inside Medina. ¶ 57. Medina had been questioned by Officer Strong as to the events on September 17, 1998. Officer Strong testified that in her statement Medina stated that Madere had sucked on her breast. He did not recall that Medina stated that Madere bit her breast. Officer Strong did not have any documented observation of any tears, bruises or bite marks. Officer Strong testified that he never examined the clothing. [4] ¶ 58. All of the witnesses who observed or treated Medina on the night of September 17, 1998, agreed that Medina was hysterical. Medina never stated that the sexual encounter was consensual in any statement or at trial. Medina never recanted her allegations. Madere focuses on appeal on Medina's inconsistencies between her testimony and statements. However, Madere's own testimony at trial as to the sexual encounter is a complete contradiction of his earlier statement he had given to Officer Strong and Officer Hurt. The jury was presented all the evidence in this case and deliberated for over eight hours. The jury did not rush to judgment. ¶ 59. In Benson v. State, 551 So.2d 188, 193 (Miss.1989), this Court held that factual disputes are properly resolved by the jury in a criminal prosecution and do not mandate a new trial. The jury is the trier of witness credibility. Collier v. State, 711 So.2d 458, 462 (Miss.1998). Jurors are permitted to and have a duty to resolve conflicts in testimony they hear. Groseclose v. State, 440 So.2d 297, 300 (Miss.1983); Gandy v. State, 373 So.2d 1042, 1045 (Miss.1979). [Jurors] may believe or disbelieve, accept or reject, the utterances of any witness. Gandy, 373 So.2d at 1045. There is no formula that dictates the jury's decision in resolving conflicts in testimony of the witness. Id. ¶ 60. We find that the facts presented at trial in the case sub judice are sufficient to support the finding by the jury that a rape had occurred. The argument that the verdict was against the great weight of the evidence and contrary to the law is totally without merit.