Opinion ID: 1194245
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Evidence of Wrongful Discharge.

Text: The Union claims there is no evidence or inference of wrongful discharge to support the jury's verdict and that the court erred in refusing to grant judgment NOV. Adams was properly discharged under the collective bargaining agreement if he was guilty of insubordination, which is a deliberate and willful refusal by an employee to comply with a proper request or demand. There was conflicting evidence at trial concerning whether the foreman gave Adams a direct order which Adams deliberately disobeyed. Both sides called witnesses and cross-examined them; thus, the jury had ample opportunity to hear and evaluate the evidence. From this evidence the jury necessarily determined the credibility of the witnesses, reconciled inconsistent testimony and decided the truth. Worthey v. Sedillo Title Guaranty, Inc., 85 N.M. 339, 512 P.2d 667 (1973). In considering a motion to grant judgment notwithstanding the verdict, this Court has always considered the testimony in a light most favorable to the prevailing party. Montoya v. General Motors Corporation, 88 N.M. 583, 544 P.2d 723 (Ct.App. 1975), cert. denied, 89 N.M. 6, 546 P.2d 71 (1976). This evidence, together with the inferences that may be drawn therefrom, is accepted as true, and all evidence to the contrary is disregarded. Scott v. McWood Corporation, 82 N.M. 776, 487 P.2d 478 (1971); Miera v. George, 55 N.M. 535, 237 P.2d 102 (1951). All the evidence must be reviewed, but, if there be conflicts or contradictions in the evidence, those conflicts must be resolved in favor of Adams, who is the non-moving party. Skyhook Corp. v. Jasper, 90 N.M. 143, 560 P.2d 934 (1977). We should be able to say that there is neither evidence nor inference from which the jury could have arrived at its verdict. Townsend v. United States Rubber Company, 74 N.M. 206, 392 P.2d 404 (1964). After thoroughly searching this record and considering the testimony in the light most favorable to Adams, we find there was substantial evidence that he was wrongfully discharged. If we accept Adams' testimony as true, there is both evidence and inferences from which the jury could have arrived at its verdict. Inconsistencies between his evidence and the evidence presented by the Union were resolved by the jury. Since the jury obviously believed Adams, they acted reasonably in finding he was wrongfully discharged. We affirm the trial court as to this issue.