Opinion ID: 1526754
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Motion for a New Trial/Weight of the Evidence

Text: The final contention presented by James is that the Superior Court should have granted her motion for a new trial because the jury's verdict was against the weight of the evidence. A trial judge has the discretionary power to grant a motion for a new trial on the ground that the jury verdict is against the weight of the evidence. Storey v. Camper, Del.Supr., 401 A.2d 458 (1979). There is no clear-cut litmus test for determining when that power should be exercised. Id. at 464. However, [b]arring some unusual factor in the case, perhaps the shortest guideline which gives implicit consideration to the key factors  the separate function of the motion, the role of the jury, the unique viewpoint of the [t]rial judge[s], is that a trial court should not grant such a new trial motion unless the jury verdict is `at least ... against the great weight of the evidence.' Id. at 465 (citations omitted). In an appeal from either the grant or denial of a new trial, the question generally presented is whether the trial judge's decision constituted an abuse of discretion. Id. (citing Chavin v. Cope, Del.Supr., 243 A.2d 694, 695 (1968); Trowell v. Diamond Supply Co., Del.Supr., 91 A.2d 797, 801-02 (1952)). However, when a motion for a new trial, based solely on weight of the evidence grounds is denied in a jury case, this Court on appeal is bound by the jury verdict if it is supported by evidence. Id. (citations omitted) (emphasis added). [O]n appeal [in civil cases] from a verdict of a jury, the findings of the jury, if supported by evidence, shall be conclusive. Del. Const., art. IV, § 11. In this case, there is evidence in the record to support the jury's verdict. The record reflects that the weight of the evidence was not so clearly in James' favor that no reasonable jury could have found for the Glazers. Accordingly, we find no abuse of discretion in the Superior Court's decision to deny James' motion for a new trial.