Opinion ID: 1106428
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: sufficiency of the evidence

Text: ¶ 10. A motion for a directed verdict and JNOV, as well as a request for a peremptory instruction, challenge the legal sufficiency of the evidence, since each requires consideration of the evidence before the court when made. McClain v. State, 625 So.2d 774, 778 (Miss.1993). The standard of review for a denial of a directed verdict, peremptory instruction, and a JNOV are identical. Purnell v. State, 878 So.2d 124, 128(¶ 14) (Miss.Ct. App.2004) (quoting Hawthorne v. State, 835 So.2d 14, 21(¶ 31) (Miss.2003)). Reversal on the issue of legal sufficiency can only occur when evidence of one or more of the elements of the charged offense is such that reasonable and fair-minded jurors could only find the accused not guilty. Purnell, 878 So.2d at 129(¶ 14) (citing Hawthorne, 835 So.2d at 21(¶ 31)). However, where substantial evidence of such quality and weight exists to support the verdict, and where reasonable and fair-minded jurors may have found the appellant guilty, we must affirm the judgment of the trial court. McClendon v. State, 852 So.2d 43, 47(¶ 11) (Miss.Ct.App.2002) (citing Baker v. State, 802 So.2d 77, 81(¶ 13) (Miss.1995)). ¶ 11. Coleman contends the trial court erred in denying his motion for a directed verdict, and he asks this Court to reverse his conviction. Thus, he challenges the sufficiency of the evidence. In support of this challenge, Coleman argues that the description of the man inside Harris's house was the description of another man, because he is a very dark-complected black male, rather than a medium to light-skinned black male. Coleman further argues that the description of the intruder's car was the description of another man's car. He asserts that his car was gray, not blue. ¶ 12. The State's evidence included pictures of Coleman's car, a bluish-gray, older model Celebrity, with a luggage rack on the back. Thus, the pictures of Coleman's car were consistent with the description given by Harris to the deputies. Moreover, Deputies Williams and Gitchell testified that their reason for interviewing Coleman was that his car resembled the car described by Harris. The State also put on evidence that Harris identified Coleman as the intruder in a photo line-up, and that after viewing a video of Coleman with his car, Harris told Deputy Williams that Coleman was definitely the man who broke into his home. Other evidence presented by the State further supports the verdict of guilty. Investigators found boots belonging to Coleman at his home that matched a print at the crime scene. Moreover, a search of Coleman's home also revealed a maroon jacket, matching the description provided by Harris of the intruder's clothes. ¶ 13. Coleman's assertion that the discrepancy between his dark complexion and the description given by Harris is sufficiently overwhelming to justify reversal is without merit. Given the State's evidence, reasonable and fair-minded jurors could have concluded that Coleman was guilty of burglary of a dwelling. Therefore, the trial court did not err in denying Coleman's motion for a directed verdict and his motion for JNOV. This issue is without merit.