Opinion ID: 1199837
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 10

Heading: sufficiency of the evidence

Text: [9] Finally, Simpson Paper maintains the evidence was insufficient to support a finding that Simpson discharged Burnside because of his age. Overturning a jury verdict is appropriate only when it is clearly unsupported by substantial evidence. This court has explained: ... This court will not willingly assume that the jury did not fairly and objectively consider the evidence and the contentions of the parties relative to the issues before it. Phelps v. Wescott, 68 Wn.2d 11, 410 P.2d 611 (1966). The inferences to be drawn from the evidence are for the jury and not for this court. The credibility of witnesses and the weight to be given to the evidence are matters within the province of the jury and even if convinced that a wrong verdict has been rendered, the reviewing court will not substitute its judgment for that of the jury, so long as there was evidence which, if believed, would support the verdict rendered. Burke v. Pepsi-Cola Bottling Co., 64 Wn.2d 244, 391 P.2d 194 (1964). (Italics ours.) State v. O'Connell, 83 Wn.2d 797, 839, 523 P.2d 872, 77 A.L.R.3d 874 (1974). Fannon testified Burnside's behavior was rude and unprofessional. Burnside testified this was untrue, and testified his evaluations had always been excellent. Both Fannon and Burnside had their testimony corroborated by others. The case, then, turned primarily on the credibility of the witnesses. Although there was no direct evidence Burnside was terminated because of his age, Burnside did present circumstantial evidence which, if believed, supports the verdict. Under these circumstances, Simpson Paper's challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence must fail. The trial court and Court of Appeals are affirmed. ANDERSEN, C.J., and BRACHTENBACH, DOLLIVER, DURHAM, SMITH, GUY, and JOHNSON, JJ., concur. MADSEN, J. (concurring) Although I concur in the result reached by the majority, I disagree with the majority's analysis of Burnside's implied contract claim in section III of the opinion. Under the facts of this case, Simpson Paper's Management Guide could not be used to govern the terms of Burnside's employment. By holding otherwise, the majority treats the Management Guide as if it were a general employee handbook, despite fundamental differences between the two types of documents. The trial court should have dismissed Burnside's claim for breach of implied contract.