Opinion ID: 1881709
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Was the jury's verdict on the issue of damages against the overwhelming weight of the evidence?

Text: ¶ 39. Alpha contends that the actual damages of $1,000,000.00 was against the overwhelming weight of the evidence and requests a new trial. In the statement of the issues Alpha lists issues 2-4 separately; however, in the body of the brief, the issues are combined. For clarity, the issues will be addressed separately by this Court. This Court finds this contention to be without merit in light of the remittitur. ¶ 40. The standard of review for an assertion that the jury's verdict is against the overwhelming weight of evidence and merits a new trial is cited in Green v. Grant, 641 So.2d 1203, 1207-08 (Miss.1994) (citing Anchor Coatings, Inc, v. Marine Indus. Residential Insulation, Inc., 490 So.2d 1210, 1215 (Miss.1986)). The grant or denial of a motion for new trial is and always has been a matter largely within the sound discretion of the trial judge. The credible evidence must be viewed in the light most favorable to the non-moving party. The credible evidence supporting the claims or defenses of the non-moving party should generally be taken as true. When the evidence is so viewed, the motion should be granted only when upon a review of the entire record the trial judge is left with a firm and definite conviction that the verdict, if allowed to stand, would work a miscarriage of justice. Our authority to reverse is limited to those cases wherein the trial judge has abused his discretion. ¶ 41. The specific jury instruction pertaining to damages cited by Alpha is as follows: JURY INSTRUCTION P-10 That (sic) Court instructs the Jury that in the event that you should return a verdict for the Plaintiff, just and fair compensation for his injury is a decision to be made by the jury. Your discretion as to the measure of damages is wide, but not unlimited, and you may not act arbitrarily. Exercise your discretion in your award of damages reasonably, intelligently and in harmony with the evidence of the case and the court's instructions. The damages for personal injury can not be assessed by any fixed rule, but you are the sole judges as to the measure of damages in this case. You may consider the following factors in determining what amount of damages, if any, to award as may be shown by a preponderance of evidence: 1. Embarrassment and humiliation if any of the Plaintiff as a result of a false arrest and/or malicious prosecution before the public, his family and friends; 2. Assault if any upon his person by Defendant's employees; 3. The cost of paying a bail bond in the amount of $125.00; 4. Attorneys fees in the amount of $750.00 incurred in defending the action before the Municipal Court of the City of Greenville; 5. Embarrassment, humiliation and injury, if any, to his reputation which the record of arrest will cause the Plaintiff to suffer with associates; ¶ 42. The credible evidence is viewed in the light most favorable to Jackson, the non-moving party, and the damages have to be proven by a preponderance of the evidence. Of the five factors enumerated in the jury instruction, the bond and attorney's fees are explicitly assessed. Therefore, the alleged damages in dispute relate to the (1) embarrassment and humiliation resulting from a false arrest and/or malicious prosecution before the public, his family and friends; (2) embarrassment, humiliation and injury to his reputation which the record of arrest will cause Jackson to suffer with associates; and (3) any damages resulting from the assault by Alpha's employees. At trial, Jackson and other witnesses testified to the three remaining factors. ¶ 43. Jackson stated that he had never been arrested prior to these events. He was embarrassed at having to tell his mother, sister and brother-in-law about the arrest. At the time of the arrest he was on military leave and could not contact his supervisor to get a leave extension. Jackson contacted his sister and brother-in-law, who were stationed at the same base in Texas, to ask them to assist him in contacting his superior. ¶ 44. During the time between November 30, 1996, and his trial date of February 10, 1997, Jackson was worried that the military might find out about the arrest. If the military found out about the arrest then Jackson could be charged with conduct unbecoming of an officer, regardless of whether he was ultimately convicted of the misdemeanor. To prepare for the trial, Jackson returned home and asked five people to testify on his behalf at trial, and told them the details of his arrest. Jackson testified that he was embarrassed at having to tell the five people, four of whom were former subordinates of his at the Army Reserve Center in Greenville. ¶ 45. Within the next two years, Jackson testified that he has to submit a renewal for his security application. Part of the application includes listing all arrests regardless of the outcome of the case. Jackson testified that even though the trial was over and his record had been expunged, he was embarrassed by the incident. In particular, Jackson was embarrassed about being escorted out of the casino in handcuffs, having to tell his mother and family, and having to tell the soldiers he commanded and ask for their help at trial. He also stated that he felt his reputation had been damaged as an officer in the United States Army, as a male in his family, as a male in the United States and as a black male in his community. ¶ 46. As to the assault, Jackson testified that he was approached by casino employees and grabbed, pushed over the main cage counter, put his arms behind his back and handcuffed him. The guards twisted his arms in the process of restraining him. McIlwain largely substantiated Jackson's testimony. ¶ 47. Viewing the credible evidence in the light most favorable to Jackson, the non-moving party, and that damages have to be proven by a preponderance of the evidence, the testimony supports the finding that there is sufficient evidence to justify damages in this case. This issue is without merit.