Opinion ID: 1834694
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: did the trial court err in denying james' motion for a new trial?

Text: A lesser showing by the Mabuses is required for a new trial than that necessary to grant a motion for j.n.o.v. Goodwin v. Derryberry Co., 553 So.2d 40, 45 (Miss. 1989) (Robertson, J., concurring in part, dissenting in part). The reason behind this rule is that a motion for j.n.o.v. challenges the legal sufficiency of the evidence to support the verdict, whereas a motion for a new trial challenges the weight of the evidence. Cummins v. Century 21 Action Realty, Inc., 563 So.2d 1382, 1386 (Miss. 1990). Unless the lower court abused its discretion in finding that the verdict was not against the overwhelming weight of the evidence, we will not reverse. Andrew Jackson Life Ins. Co. v. Williams, 566 So.2d 1172, 1177 (Miss. 1990); Cummins v. Century 21 Action Realty, Inc., 563 So.2d at 1386; see Miss.R.Civ.P. 59. In determining whether the evidence was sufficient to support the verdict, all conflicts in evidence and all reasonable inferences from the testimony will be construed in the Mabuses' favor. Bobby Kitchens, Inc. v. Miss. Ins. Guar. Ass'n, 560 So.2d 129, 132 (Miss. 1989). Moreover, we will assume that the jury drew every permissible inference from the evidence offered in favor of the Mabuses. Bobby Kitchens, Inc., 560 So.2d at 131; Burnham v. Tabb, 508 So.2d 1072, 1077 (Miss. 1987). The jury accepted the Mabuses' testimony and found the circumstantial evidence sufficient to prove the death of the Mabuses' dogs. James argues that the jury's verdict was against the substantial weight of the evidence. We have recognized that the substantial weight of the evidence standard as well as the overwhelming weight of the evidence standard is without any real meaning. Bobby Kitchens, Inc., 560 So.2d at 132; Jesco, Inc. v. Whitehead, 451 So.2d 706, 715-716 (Miss. 1984) (Robertson, J., specially concurring). In lieu of those standards this Court has endorsed weighing six specific factors to determine whether a new trial should be granted: 1) Has the search for the true facts proceeded as far as it reasonably may under the peculiar facts and circumstances of the case? 2) To what extent would it be unfair to the party in whose favor the verdict was returned in effect to give that party's adversary a second bite at the apple? 3) Considering the evidence, is there a substantial basis for believing that the jury disregarded their oaths and failed to follow the instructions of the Court in reaching its verdict? 4) Assuming arguendo that the verdict is unjust (by reference to the underlying facts of the transaction or occurrence, the complete truth of which we will never know), what is the impact of the injustice upon the party against whom the verdict has been returned? 5) If a new trial is ordered, will the party in whose favor the verdict has been returned be deprived of some fair advantage he enjoyed in the first trial? 6) Are there any other factors present, peculiar to the particular case of the parties, that would render just or unjust the grant or denial of a new trial? Bobby Kitchens, Inc., 560 So.2d at 132 (citing Jesco, Inc. 451 So.2d at 715-716). James contends that at least four of these six factors favor granting him a new trial. James first alleges that it would not be unfair to the Mabuses if a new trial were granted because it will be more expensive for James to relitigate than the two Mabuses who can share expenses. Regardless that the Mabuses are two, relitigation will be expensive. Moreover it will cause more loss of time, delay and disruption of their affairs, and there may be other appeals and possible retrials. See Jesco, Inc., 451 So.2d at 716; Cf., Magee v. Griffin, 345 So.2d 1027, 1032 (Miss. 1977). We find that this factor weighs in favor of the Mabuses. James next argues that since the testimony of James was unimpeached and uncontradicted, then the overwhelming weight of the evidence supports a finding that the jury violated their oath in determining that the shooting was privileged. This factor is violated when the jury's verdict is the product of passion, prejudice or any other arbitrary factor, or the jurors did not find the facts or apply the law. Jesco, Inc., 451 So.2d at 716. In James' first assignment of error we found that James' testimony was not required to be accepted as true by the jury and there was circumstantial proof of the death or injury of the Mabuses' dogs. Consequently, we find that the jury did not violate their oath. This factor weighs in favor of the Mabuses. James next contends that the granting of a new trial will not deprive the Mabuses of any unfair advantage. The Mabuses have not alleged any deprivation, so this factor weighs in favor of James. The fourth factor which James contends supports the granting of a new trial is the impact upon James and other landowners if the verdict is allowed to stand. James argues that if this verdict stands it will have a chilling effect on his efforts to protect his domestic ducks and geese, as well as on the efforts of other landowners to protect theirs. Landowners will be afraid to shoot dogs attacking their poultry and livestock for fear that they will be sued for outrageous sums by disgruntled dog owners. This is James' most powerful argument. Under our law if the impact would be substantial, in view of an individualized consideration of the parties and the case, then this factor will militate in favor of a new trial. Jesco, Inc., 451 So.2d at 716. The jury's verdict read on its face indeed could have a chilling effect on some landowners protecting their livestock and poultry. Our decision today, however, does not change the protection offered by statute which absolves James and other landowners from liability when a dog is attacking their poultry or livestock. The issue presented on appeal is one of credibility, and we choose to follow our general rule that credibility of the witnesses and the weight of the evidence is a determination to be made by the jury. Andrew Jackson Life Ins. Co., 566 So.2d at 1177; Bobby Kitchens, Inc., 560 So.2d at 132. The jury after hearing all the testimony chose not to believe James' assertion that the Mabuses' dogs were attacking his ducks. If James had stated that the dogs were attacking his ducks to either of the Mabuses or had mentioned the fact in his deposition, the jury may have believed his version of the facts. This factor weighs against James. After balancing the six factors we find that the trial judge's denial of James' new trial motion was not an abuse of discretion. This is not to say that in other circumstances we would not find error. Had the Mabuses turned their dogs loose near James' property rather than two miles away or had James told the Mabuses that their dogs had been attacking his ducks, we may have been more inclined to find that James was absolved of liability under Miss. Code Ann. § 95-5-19 (Supp. 1990). We hold that the issues in this case were properly decided by the jury and the trial court did not abuse his discretion in denying James' motion for a directed verdict, j.n.o.v. or a new trial. The jury's verdict at the trial level is affirmed. AFFIRMED. ROY NOBLE LEE, C.J., and PRATHER, ROBERTSON, ANDERSON, PITTMAN and BLASS, JJ., concur. HAWKINS and DAN M. LEE, P.JJ., dissent.