Opinion ID: 1652424
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: the verdict on the theft claim is contrary to the overwhelming weight of the evidence.

Text: ¶ 8. The standard for deciding upon a motion for judgment notwithstanding the verdict requires this Court to consider the evidence in the light most favorable to the non-moving party and to give the non-moving party the benefit of all favorable inferences that may reasonably be drawn from the evidence. If the facts are nevertheless so overwhelmingly in favor of the moving party that reasonable and fair-minded jurors could not have arrived at a contrary verdict, then this Court must reverse and render in favor of the moving party. Fitzner Pontiac-Buick-Cadillac, Inc. v. Smith, 523 So.2d 324, 326 (Miss.1988). ¶ 9. This Court concludes that the facts of the present case are not so strongly in favor of State Farm as to warrant the imposition of a judgment notwithstanding the verdict. State Farm's evidence which points to possible fraud on the part of Grimes does raise a slight degree of suspicion that Grimes may have removed the engine and transmission himself. However, granting all reasonable inferences to Grimes, this evidence is clearly not so overwhelmingly in favor of State Farm that impartial and fair jurors could not have validly concluded that State Farm wrongfully denied coverage under the theft policy. The jury's verdict regarding the denial of the theft claim is affirmed.