Opinion ID: 479457
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Ownership of the Destroyed Equipment

Text: 12 Appellant argues that the district court erred in refusing to grant judgment notwithstanding the verdict because as a matter of law, the Michigan Abrasive--Poole sublease created no obligation to insure Poole's personal property. The property in question consisted of miscellaneous plant equipment used in the manufacturing process such as racks, tables, carts and cabinets, etc. Under the terms of the Michigan Abrasive--Poole sublease, Michigan Abrasive was not obligated under the option to obtain insurance covering personal property. Appellant asserts that the destroyed equipment was purchased by Poole and was not leased pursuant to the Michigan Abrasive--Poole sublease. 13 Because we find appellant's characterization of the equipment as personalty untenable as a matter of law, we conclude that the district court did not err in refusing to grant appellant's motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict. Testimony at trial revealed that the bulk of the equipment was originally used by Michigan Abrasive and left on the premises when the project was subleased to Poole. The terms of the primary lease between the Industrial Development Board of the City of Florence and Michigan Abrasive provided that the board would retain title to the project including the plant and leased equipment until the bonds were retired. The bonds had not been retired at the time of the fire. We find that the issue of ownership of the equipment was submitted to and resolved by the jury. After reviewing the record, we conclude there was substantial evidence of such quality and weight that the jury could have reasonably concluded that the destroyed equipment was part of the project subleased by Poole. Appellate courts cannot reweigh evidence concerning questions of fact and substitute their judgment for that of the jury. See Lindsey v. American Cast Iron Pipe Co., 772 F.2d 799, 801 (11th Cir.1985); Hockett v. United States, 730 F.2d 709, 714 (11th Cir.1984). After reviewing the evidence, we are not left with the definite and firm conviction that an error occurred. See Taylor v. Hudson Pulp and Paper Corp., 788 F.2d 1455, 1459 (11th Cir.1986). Appellant cannot avoid the res judicata effect of the jury's findings by recharacterizing the issue as one of law and not of fact.