Opinion ID: 1898254
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Independent Consent and Action

Text: Elaine Arnold's testimony that, two years prior to the execution of the 1967 deed, Matt expressed his intent to convey his land to Mary and Lenoir in repayment for their taking care of him, and Milton Jordan's testimony that on the date of the execution of the deed Matt knew what he was doing are in today's posture entitled to substantial weight. They establish Matt's independent consent to convey the land to Mary and his independent act of conveyance. This proof of Matt's independent action is further bolstered by Ebbie Patt's testimony that, near the end of his life, Matt told Patt that he had given his land to Mary because she had taken care of him. In the end, we return to our scope of review. Of this we said in Culbreath v. Johnson, 427 So.2d 705 (Miss. 1983): The trial judge saw these witnesses testify. Not only did he have the benefit of their words, he alone among the judiciary observed their manner and demeanor. He was there on the scene. He smelled the smoke of battle. He sensed the interpersonal dynamics between the lawyers and the witnesses and himself. These are indispensable. Culbreath, 427 So.2d at 708. In substance the Chancery Court held that Mary had proved by clear and convincing evidence that considering the totality of the circumstances, she had not procured the 1967 deed through the exercise of undue influence. We find the record to contain evidence of sufficient quality and quantity that a rational trier of the facts could have so concluded. The assignment of error is denied.