Opinion ID: 1102114
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: whether the jury's verdict is against the overwhelming weight of the evidence.

Text: ¶ 23. Abrams argues that the jury's verdict is against the overwhelming weight of the evidence on two bases. First, there is no credible evidence that the accident occurred in any manner different than how he described it. Second, all witnesses agreed that the Marlin 30-30 would fire if the hammer was struck and that this problem could have been eliminated by a passive safety device. ¶ 24. It is the province of the jury to determine weight and worth of testimony and the credibility of witnesses at trial. Upchurch ex rel. Upchurch v. Rotenberry, 761 So.2d 199, 205 (Miss. 2000); Wilmoth v. Peaster Tractor Co. of Lexington, Inc., 544 So.2d 1384, 1386 (Miss.1989); Burnham v. Tabb, 508 So.2d 1072, 1077 (Miss.1987); Travelers Indem. Co. v. Rawson, 222 So.2d 131, 134 (Miss. 1969). We will, however, reverse if the verdict is against the overwhelming weight of the evidence and credible testimony presented. Ducker v. Moore, 680 So.2d 808, 811 (Miss.1996); Parker v. Thornton, 596 So.2d 854, 858 (Miss.1992); Roberts v. State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co., 567 So.2d 1193, 1196 (Miss.1990). ¶ 25. Contrary to Abrams' contentions, there is credible evidence supporting the jury's unanimous verdict. Abrams cites little persuasive authority in support of his argument. The evidence supports a reasonable inference that Abrams was in fact not at his mother's house when he shot himself and that the accident occurred contrary to his recollection of events. Furthermore, the timing of the accident according to Abrams in relation to when help arrived (approximately two hours), the location where he was found in relation to the location of his mother's house and the hospital, the fact that Dallas Slatton smelled alcohol on Abrams' breath, and the fact that Ben Kilgore noted the beer in Abrams' truck was very cold all allowed the jury to infer and conclude that the accident occurred other than as Abrams recalled and/or was a result of his contributory negligence. The evidence simply does not reasonably preclude a conclusion of a full-cocked discharge as Marlin asserts. See Shields v. Sturm, Ruger & Co., 864 F.2d 379 (5th Cir.1989) (applying Mississippi law) (affirming jury verdict in favor of defendant gun manufacturer in products liability action where plaintiff alleged a .357 Magnum revolver was defective when bump-fired inside vehicle into plaintiff's leg and defendant alleging plaintiff's negligence caused accident).