Opinion ID: 1908944
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Alfa and Ledbetter's Motion for a New Trial

Text: Our discussion above resolves Alfa and Ledbetter's appeal from the order denying their motion for a new trial based on the weight and preponderance of the evidence. The defendants also argue that they did not receive a fair trial because the plaintiff's counsel argued that Alfa was engaged in institutional systemic fraud. Alfa points to only one page in the trial transcript where the plaintiff's counsel made such a remark, but on that occasion the lawyers were arguing Alfa and Ledbetter's motion for a directed verdict and were outside the presence of the jury. Moreover, the circuit court instructed the jury that the only fraud at issue was the fraud on the front porch, i.e., the alleged fraud in the sale of the policy. Where a party complains that a new trial is required because of improper argument of counsel, we give the circuit court's order denying a new trial the benefit of presumptive correctness and reverse only if we are able to conclude that substantial prejudice has resulted. Old Southern Life Ins. Co. v. Woodall, 348 So.2d 1377, 1384 (Ala.1977). Alfa and Ledbetter have not met their burden of establishing that any improper comments influenced the verdicts returned by the jury.