Opinion ID: 2300624
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 9

Heading: The Standard Relevant to a Motion for a New Trial

Text: In passing on a motion for a new trial, the trial justice acts in a role that we have described as being that of a `super juror'    in that he [or she] makes an independent appraisal of the evidence in the light of his [or her] charge to the jury. Ruggieri v. Big G Supermarkets, Inc., 114 R.I. 211, 215-16, 330 A.2d 810, 812 (1975); see also Bajakian, 880 A.2d at 851; Oliveira v. Jacobson, 846 A.2d 822, 826 (R.I.2004); Kurczy v. St. Joseph Veterans Association, Inc., 713 A.2d 766, 770 (R.I.1998). In making his or her appraisal, the trial justice is permitted to weigh the evidence and assess the witnesses' credibility. Kurczy, 713 A.2d at 770 (internal quotation marks omitted); see also Botelho, 970 A.2d at 545; Ruggieri, 114 R.I. at 215-16, 330 A.2d at 812. Additionally, he or she can reject some evidence and draw inferences which are reasonable in view of the testimony and evidence in the record. Kurczy, 713 A.2d at 770 (internal quotation marks omitted); see also Yi Gu v. Rhode Island Public Transit Authority, 38 A.3d 1093, 1099 (R.I. 2012); ADP Marshall, Inc. v. Brown University, 784 A.2d 309, 315 (R.I.2001). If the trial justice determines that the evidence is evenly balanced or is such that reasonable minds in considering the same evidence could come to different conclusions, the trial justice must allow the verdict to stand. Botelho, 970 A.2d at 545. This Court will not disturb the decision of the trial justice on a motion for a new trial, unless the plaintiff can show that the trial justice overlooked or misconceived material and relevant evidence or was otherwise clearly wrong. International Depository, Inc. v. State, 603 A.2d 1119, 1123 (R.I.1992) (internal quotation marks omitted); see also Yi Gu, 38 A.3d at 1099; Bonn v. Pepin, 11 A.3d 76, 78 (R.I. 2011); Bajakian, 880 A.2d at 852.