Opinion ID: 1904040
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: whether the trial court erred in denying bridges's motion for directed verdict, j.n.o.v., or for new trial.

Text: ¶ 12. In his second assignment of error, Bridges reiterates his first argument that the trial judge should have found him incompetent to stand trial and adds that the trial judge doubled his error by denying his motions for directed verdict, JNOV, and new trial for the same reasons. Bridges cites no authority to support this argument. Due to the fact that Bridges does not present any supporting authority, we could summarily dismiss this issue. However, we will discuss this issue on the merits. ¶ 13. Motions for directed verdict and for JNOV challenge the sufficiency of the evidence supporting the verdict. McClain v. State, 625 So.2d 774, 778 (Miss. 1993). Where a defendant moves for JNOV or a directed verdict, the trial court considers all of the credible evidence consistent with the defendant's guilt, giving the prosecution the benefit of all favorable inferences that may be reasonably drawn from this evidence. Id. This Court is authorized to reverse only where, with respect to one or more of the elements of the offense charged, the evidence is such that reasonable and fair-minded jurors could not find the accused guilty. Wetz v. State, 503 So.2d 803, 808 (Miss.1987). ¶ 14. Motions for new trial challenge the weight of the evidence supporting the verdict. The decision to grant or deny this motion is discretionary with the trial court. McClain, 625 So.2d at 781. The trial court should grant a new trial motion only when 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. Wetz, 503 So.2d at 812. In reviewing the trial court's denial of a new trial motion, we must accept as true all evidence favorable to the State, and we may not reverse absent an abuse of discretion. McClain, 625 So.2d at 781. ¶ 15. A staggering amount of evidence supports the verdict of guilty in this case. Vivian's nephew, Cedric, gave eyewitness testimony that Bridges shot his rifle into Vivian's car. Two different neighbors saw Bridges walk away from Vivian's crashed car carrying a rifle immediately after they heard gunshots. And finally, Bridges confessed to shooting Vivian to a police officer. ¶ 16. Given the amount and directness of this evidence, we cannot say that reasonable and fair-minded jurors could not find Bridges guilty or that the verdict is contrary to the overwhelming weight of the evidence. The trial court did not err in denying Bridges's motions for directed verdict or new trial. Accordingly, this issue is without merit.