Opinion ID: 1060588
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: jury's findings regarding liability

Text: Since we conclude that Alexander did not accept the promissory note presented to him by Armentrout, we disagree with the Court of Appeals' statement that Armentrout's claim against Mr. Alexander must rise or fall on that instrument. Having determined that the promissory note is not dispositive, [8] we must examine what type of agreement, if any, was reached by the parties. [9] The jury, after determining the note was not accepted, found that the Armentrouts were liable to Alexander. This finding necessarily implies that the parties reached an agreement, despite the existence of a promissory note. Ample material evidence supports this conclusion. The jury heard Alexander testify that prior to the July 1993 closing, he and Armentrout agreed that he would sell his partnership interest for $110,000. He testified that at the closing, he accepted a $50,000 cashier's check from the Armentrouts and that the parties agreed that he would accept a promissory note to represent the $61,000 balance due. According to Alexander's testimony, the parties also discussed the terms of the repayment, which was to occur over a nine year period, and the interest rate that would apply. While no instrument was drafted at the closing, Alexander testified to these terms of the parties' agreement. The testimony of Kenneth McCurry, the partnership's accountant, bolsters that of Alexander regarding the agreement. He testified that during their business dealings, Jay Armentrout acknowledged that he owed Alexander money in connection with the sale his partnership interest. McCurry also testified that Armentrout's personal accounting records reflect that he owes Alexander $61,000. Possibly more compelling, the jury heard Jay Armentrout admit under oath that Alexander is owed money in connection with the sale of the partnership interest. When asked by the trial court, Armentrout agreed that the question was not whether Alexander was owed money, but who owes the money: Armentrout individually or Armentrout Acres, Inc. This testimony, in conjunction with that of Alexander, supports the jury's finding that, despite the absence of a writing embodying specific terms, an agreement existed between the parties under which Armentrout was liable to Alexander for the balance on the sale of his partnership interest. When a record contains material evidence supporting a verdict, the judgment based on that verdict will not be disturbed on appeal. See Reynolds v. Ozark Motor Lines, Inc., 887 S.W.2d 822, 823 (Tenn.1994); Tenn.R.App.P. 13(d). Based upon on the foregoing, we conclude that ample evidence supports the jury's finding that the parties reached an agreement whereby Armentrout is liable for the balance stemming from the sale of the partnership interest. Moreover, the dispute between the parties concerning this agreement hinges on witness credibility, an issue within the province of the jury. See State v. Wilson, 924 S.W.2d 648, 649 (Tenn.1996); Reynolds v. Ozark Motor Lines, Inc., 887 S.W.2d at 823. The jury implicitly found Alexander to be a credible witness, and we will not upset this finding.