Opinion ID: 862869
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: standard of review

Text: ¶5. On review of a decision for a directed verdict, the Supreme Court must consider the evidence in the same light as the trial court. Fulton v. Robinson Indus., Inc., 664 So. 2d 170, 172 (Miss. 1995). Thus, this Court must review the circuit court's decision de novo. Id. When a party moves for a directed verdict, the trial court must look, solely to the testimony on behalf of the opposing party; if such testimony, along with all reasonable inferences which can be drawn therefrom, could support a verdict for that party, the case should not be taken from the jury. Biloxi Reg'l Med. Ctr. v. David, 555 So. 2d 53, 57 (Miss. 1989). However, when a motion for directed verdict is made and granted at the close of the plaintiff's case-in-chief, such is proper if the plaintiff's evidence is so lacking that reasonable jurors would be unable to reach a verdict in favor of that party. Fulton, 664 So. 2d at 172.