Opinion ID: 1649554
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: whether the evidence is insufficient to support the jury's verdict.

Text: ¶ 12. Through this assignment of error, King is essentially challenging the sufficiency and weight of the evidence that form the basis for his conviction. When the sufficiency and weight of the evidence are questioned, the allegation is really being directed against the accuracy of the jury's verdict. May v. State, 460 So.2d 778, 780-82 (Miss.1984). The assignment of error is predicated upon the contention that the evidence simply does not justify a finding of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. However, it is a fundamental principle of law that jury verdicts will not be disturbed except under the most dire of circumstances. Manning v. State, 735 So.2d 323, 333 (Miss.1999). Accordingly, in our review of criminal convictions, we consider the evidence in the light most favorable to the conviction. Id. If then we decide that no reasonable person could have found the accused guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, the verdict will be set aside. Id. However, if our review reveals that reasonable and fair-minded jurors in the exercise of impartial judgment might have reached different conclusions, the verdict of guilty is thus placed beyond our authority to disturb. Id. ¶ 13. King asserts that the State's case was based entirely on circumstantial evidence. Furthermore, he goes on to suggest that the already weak evidence's character is suspect at best, given the unreliable and dubious nature of the witnesses. King points out that many of the State's witnesses that saw him that night admit to being long time drug addicts, as well as having used drugs on the very night in question. In his brief, King takes issue with each witness individually and sets forth his reasons why their testimony should not be trusted. In addition, King reiterates the robbery story and various other portions of his statement to the police and claims that other witnesses corroborate his version of events. Finally, King attacks the weight of the physical evidence and proposes alternate theories of the crime, such as the robbers that assaulted him could be responsible for Pitts's death. King even points to certain aspects of the physical evidence to support his theory (e.g. the blood on the paper towels not matching him nor the victim). In conclusion, King asserts that even when viewed in the light most favorable to support the conviction, the evidence is insufficient. ¶ 14. As pointed out by the State, there was an abundance of evidence in support of King's conviction. A thorough review of the record reveals that all of the concerns and problems King asserts the witnesses suffered from were brought out and addressed by counsel. The jury heard about the drugs, promiscuity, and stealing. The jury also heard the State's version of events, as well as King's story. Essentially, King now asks this Court to reweigh the credibility of witnesses. It is a wellsettled principle of law that issues of weight and credibility of witness testimony are within the sole province of the jury as fact finder. Humphrey v. State, 759 So.2d 368, 387 (Miss.2000). The jury has a much better vantage point to view and assess the tone, mannerisms, and disposition of witnesses. True, most of the State's witnesses were not choirboys, but there was also physical evidence and the testimony of two police officers tying King to the murder. Given the evidence in the record and the fact that the jury was properly instructed, we find ample evidence to support the conviction. Thus, this issue is without merit.