Opinion ID: 2346556
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 11

Heading: Motion for Judgment and for a New Trial

Text: A judgment notwithstanding the verdict is proper only where no reasonable person, viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the prevailing party, could reach a verdict for that party. See District of Columbia v. Wilson, 721 A.2d 591, 596 (D.C.1998). We agree with the trial court that this case presented a jury question on the causal relationship between the fire on the roof and appellant's emotional distress, and there was a sufficient basis for the jury to find in favor of Boyd. On cross-examination, appellant admitted that she suffered from alcoholism and mental problems before the fire, and her physician also alluded to this in her testimony. The jury properly could have found that appellant's depression and drinking were present before the fire, and were not caused or aggravated by the fire. We also conclude that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying the motion for a new trial, except on the claim for damage to personal property. See Derrington v. United States, 488 A.2d 1314, 1339 (D.C.1985), cert. denied, 486 U.S. 1009, 108 S.Ct. 1738, 100 L.Ed.2d 201 (1988). The jury verdict in favor of Boyd was not against the great weight of the evidence. See id. at 1339-40. Appellant also claims that the trial court should have recused itself and placed itself in a conflict of interest posture where it was unable to fairly rule for or against Boyd. She has articulated no basis for the alleged conflict of interest, see supra note 6, other than conclusory statements about various court rulings against appellant, including some already discussed and rejected, such as that she should have been allowed to testify as to the damage to her personal property. Thus, we perceive no abuse of discretion in the trial court's denial of the appellant's motion for a new trial. Affirmed in part, and reversed and remanded in part.