Opinion ID: 1106252
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: was the verdict as to count i against the overwhelming weight of the evidence?

Text: Corley argues that the jury's finding that Corley attempted to intimidate Arthur Crigler, a witness, was against the overwhelming weight of the evidence. Corley contends that the State did not prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Corley knew Crigler or that he knew Crigler was going to be a witness against him. Additionally, Corley contends that Crigler had not yet been subpoenaed to be a witness in the second trial, so if the offense did occur, Crigler was not at that time a witness against Corley. This Court recognizes that a motion for a new trial is discretionary with the trial judge, and we will not order a new trial unless the verdict is so contrary to the overwhelming weight of the evidence that to allow the verdict to stand would sanction an unconscionable injustice. Lane v. State, 562 So.2d 1235, 1236-37 (Miss. 1990). We view all of the evidence in the light most consistent with the verdict and we give the State all favorable inferences which may be drawn from the evidence. Benson v. State, 551 So.2d 188, 192-93 (Miss. 1989). After reviewing the evidence in light of this standard, we agree with Corley. The evidence does not support a finding that Corley knew that Crigler was a witness at the first trial or Crigler would be a witness at the second trial. It is possible that Corley could have seen Crigler at the courthouse during Corley's first trial, but we find this insufficient to show that from this one possible sighting Corley could have concluded that Crigler would testify against him at Corley's second trial. Based on the evidence, we reverse the jury's verdict as to Count I of the indictment. Having reviewed the record, we affirm the verdict and sentence as to Count II of the indictment and reverse the verdict as to Count I. The two (2) year sentence and $500.00 fine assessed to Corley on Count I are accordingly dismissed. COUNT I: REVERSED AND RENDERED. COUNT II: CONVICTION OF INTIMIDATING A WITNESS AND SENTENCE OF TWO (2) YEARS IN THE CUSTODY OF THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AND PAYMENT OF A FINE OF $500.00 AFFIRMED. AFFIRMED IN PART; REVERSED AND RENDERED IN PART. ROY NOBLE LEE, C.J., DAN M. LEE, P.J., and PRATHER, ROBERTSON and McRAE, JJ., concur. HAWKINS, P.J., concurs in part and dissents in part by separate written opinion joined by DAN M. LEE, P.J. BANKS, J., concurs in part and dissents in part by separate written opinion joined by PITTMAN and McRAE, JJ.