Opinion ID: 1809787
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: the verdict was contrary to the overwhelming weight of the evidence.

Text: ¶ 21. Holloway contends that the verdict of the jury was against the overwhelming weight of the evidence, and that, therefore, the trial court should have granted his motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict, or in the alternative, for a new trial. A motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict implicates the sufficiency of the evidence. Sheffield v. State, 749 So.2d 123, 125 (Miss.1999). The standard of review for the legal sufficiency of the evidence is well-settled: [W]e must, with respect to each element of the offense, consider all of the evidence not just the evidence which supports the case for the prosecutionin the light most favorable to the verdict. The credible evidence which is consistent with the guilt must be accepted as true. The prosecution must be given the benefit of all favorable inferences that may reasonably be drawn from the evidence. Matters regarding the weight and credibility to be accorded the evidence are to be resolved by the jury. We may reverse only where, with respect to one or more of the elements of the offense charged, the evidence so considered is such that reasonable and fairminded jurors could only find the accused not guilty. Id. (quoting Gleeton v. State, 716 So.2d 1083, 1087 (Miss.1998)). ¶ 22. A motion for a new trial, however, falls within a lower standard of review than does that for a judgment notwithstanding the verdict. Id. at 127. A motion for a new trial simply challenges the weight of the evidence. Id. This Court has explained that it will reverse the trial court's denial of a motion for a new trial only if, by doing so, the court abused its discretion. Id. (quoting Gleeton v. State, 716 So.2d at 1088). We 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. Id. (quoting Groseclose v. State, 440 So.2d 297, 300 (Miss.1983)). This Court has also explained that factual disputes are properly resolved by a jury and do not mandate a new trial. McNeal v. State, 617 So.2d 999, 1009 (Miss.1993). ¶ 23. The account of the alleged incident given by Mary to Dr. Chidester within hours of the alleged assault was consistent with that given by her at trial. Mary's account was supported by Dr. Chidester's physical findings. Jane Doe's account of Holloway's conduct shortly after the incident was corroborated by that of John Doe as well as by Holloway's post-arrest statement. The only evidence contradicting Mary's testimony was that of Holloway, who testified that a few days after making the statement to police, he realized that what Mary said occurred did not occur. ¶ 24. In his argument to this Court, Holloway makes much of minor inconsistencies in the witnesses testimonies, such as the fact that Mary told Dr. Chidester that Holloway wore gray shorts yet testified at trial that Holloway wore brown shorts with an orange stripe. It warrants mention, however, that Holloway's own testimony at trial was substantially inconsistent with that given by him to the authorities. This Court has repeatedly stated that matters regarding the weight and credibility to be accorded the evidence are to be resolved by the jury. Richmond v. State, 751 So.2d 1038, 1049 (Miss.1999) (citing Fisher v. State, 481 So.2d 203, 212 (Miss.1985)); Morgan v. State, 741 So.2d 246, 256 (Miss. 1999); Neal v. State, 451 So.2d at 758. Considering the evidence in the light most favorable to the guilty verdict and accepting as true all credible evidence consistent with guilt, it cannot be said that the evidence is such that reasonable and fairminded jurors could only find Holloway not guilty. Thus, the trial court's denial of Holloway's motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict was proper. Furthermore, the verdict is not so contrary to the overwhelming weight of the evidence that to allow it would sanction an unconscionable injustice. It cannot be said that the trial judge abused his discretion in denying Holloway's request for a new trial.