Opinion ID: 1906270
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: did the trial court err in denying mrs. muse' motion to correct its final judgment or grant a new trial?

Text: Pursuant to Rule 59(a)(2) and Rule 60(b)(2), (4), (6) of the Mississippi Rules of Civil Procedure, Mrs. Muse filed a Motion to Correct Final Judgment or, in the Alternative, for a New Trial. In denying this motion, Chancellor Sugg said, ... the motion to modify is overruled for two reasons. It was not filed within ten days required by 52(b) and it has no merit. The gist of this assignment is that M.R.C.P. 59 requires that a motion for new trial be made within 10 days of entry of the final judgment which is defined as delivery to the clerk for filing. No final judgment was entered because of Chancellor Alexander's death; therefore, Mrs. Muse contends that Chancellor Sugg erred in denying the motion on the basis that it was not timely filed within the ten day limit. This argument may have merit except that the chancellor also found a second ground for overruling the motion, which was that in his opinion it had no merit. The grant or denial of such a motion has always been a matter left to the sound discretion of the trial judge. Absent an abuse of discretion on his part we are without power to disturb such a determination. Having closely reviewed the record before us, we conclude that the chancellor acted well within his discretion when he denied the request that the judgment be corrected and for a new trial. See Mayoza v. Mayoza, 526 So.2d 547, 550 (Miss. 1987).