Opinion ID: 1557137
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Whether the chancellor committed manifest error in his findings of fact.

Text: ¶ 12. Following the hearing, the chancellor found that Scott and Bell were unaware that they had witnessed Howard's purported last will and testament. This Court has ruled that the testimony of attesting witnesses denying or impeaching the execution of the will is to be considered and may be sufficient in some cases to prevent probate, [but it is] to be viewed with caution and suspicion and it is usually entitled to little credence. Warren v. Sidney's Estate, 183 Miss. 669, 184 So. 806, 809 (1938). Further, if either or both attesting witnesses deny the execution, then the proponents may introduce secondary evidence of the execution. Id. ¶ 13. Bell's and Scott's testimony was the only evidence, other than the testimony of the notary public, submitted by the parties at the hearing. The proponent of the will, Garland, presented only the testimony of Lofton and failed to introduce any witness or other evidence showing that Bell and Scott had knowledge of the purpose of the attestation. The chancellor had before him conflicting evidence concerning whether the witnesses had knowledge that they were witnessing Howard's will, namely: (1) the will, which included the certificate and affidavit of subscribing witnesses; (2) Scott's and Bell's 2006 affidavits; and (3) Scott's and Bell's testimony at the hearing. This presented a question of fact for the court, and the chancellor resolved the conflict by ruling that the hearing testimony was the most credible. We have ruled that when the trial judge sits as the finder of fact, he has the sole authority for determining the credibility of witnesses. Yarbrough v. Camphor, 645 So.2d 867, 869 (Miss.1994). Further, we reiterate that our trial courts are entitled to deferential review in matters involving questions of fact. Id. Because this Court reviews a chancellor's findings of fact under a standard of manifest error, we cannot say that the chancellor erred. Goode v. Village of Woodgreen Homeowners Ass'n, 662 So.2d 1064, 1070-71 (Miss.1995) (ruling that the Court applies the standard of manifest error to findings of fact in a will contest). Applying the appropriate standard of review, we fail to see how the chancellor manifestly erred in considering and finding sufficient the testimony of Scott and Bell. We additionally note that this case does not involve witnesses who cannot recall the manner of signing the purported will (see dissent at ¶ 36); this case involves two witnesses who testified that they had no knowledge of what they were signing, which we find to be a requirement, as explained infra.