Opinion ID: 1913471
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: nelson cattle company's motion for directed verdict

Text: In Savold v. Johnson, 443 N.W.2d 656, 658-59 (S.D.1989), this Court said that [w]hen faced with a motion for directed verdict, we must accept as true the evidence presented by the nonmoving party and indulge all legitimate inferences in favor of the party against whom the motion is brought. Kreager v. Blomstrom Oil Company, 379 N.W.2d 307 (S.D.1985); Budahl v. Gordon & David Associates, 323 N.W.2d 853 (S.D. 1982); Myers v. Quenzer, 79 S.D. 248, 110 N.W.2d 840 (1961). We must determine if there is any substantial evidence to sustain the cause of action. If such evidence exists as would allow reasonable minds to differ, the case must go to the jury. Haggar v. Olfert, 387 N.W.2d 45, 49 (S.D.1986); Sabag v. Continental South Dakota, 374 N.W.2d 349, 354-55 (S.D.1985); Lytle v. Morgan, 270 N.W.2d 359, 361 (S.D.1978). In contrast to appeals of trials to the court, Jones v. Kartar Plaza Ltd., 488 N.W.2d 428, 429 (S.D.1992), where the Supreme Court reviews findings of fact under the clearly erroneous standard, on appeal of a jury verdict, the Supreme Court is required to view the evidence and all reasonable inferences from the evidence in the light most favorable to the verdict winner and conflicting evidence is to be resolved in favor of the verdict. Marnette v. Morgan, 485 N.W.2d 595, 599 (S.D.1992). The Supreme Court reviews the record to determine whether there is substantial evidence to allow reasonable minds to differ; the court does not weigh evidence and substitute its judgment for that of the jury. Westover v. East River Elec. Power, 488 N.W.2d 892, 896 (S.D.1992). In reviewing the sufficiency of the evidence to support a verdict, the court does not weigh conflicting evidence or pass upon the credibility of witnesses. Musch v. H-D Co-op., Inc., 487 N.W.2d 623, 626 (S.D.1992); State v. Hurst, 507 N.W.2d 918, 923 (S.D.1993). These functions lie solely within the province of the jury as ultimate trier of fact. State v. Burtzlaff, 493 N.W.2d 1, 4 (S.D. 1992).