Opinion ID: 1888073
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: whether the verdict is contrary to the overwhelming weight of the evidence

Text: ¶ 17. We must now decide whether the trial court abused its discretion in denying Roger's motion for a new trial on the grounds that the verdict was against the overwhelming weight of the evidence. Catchings v. State, 684 So.2d 591, 600 (Miss.1996). Johnson v. State instructs us that the standard of review for such post trial motions is an abuse of discretion. Johnson v. State, 642 So.2d 924, 928 (Miss. 1994). We shall not order a new trial nor disturb a jury verdict unless we are convinced that the verdict is so contrary to the overwhelming weight of the evidence that to allow it to stand would sanction an unconscionable injustice. McNeal v. State, 617 So.2d 999, 1009 (Miss.1993) (additional citations omitted). ¶ 18. In this case, the jury apparently decided not to reward Roger for his vigilantism by setting him free. On the other hand, he was not convicted of murder. The Hinds County jury was the appropriate arm of justice to make this decision when confronted by these difficult facts. Sufficient evidence exists to support the jury verdict, and we find no error in this regard. ¶ 19. The determination of justifiable self-defense vel non was within the province of the jury. The sentence imposed was within the learned judge's discretion. Therefore, we affirm the judgment of the Hinds County Circuit Court. ¶ 20. CONVICTION OF MANSLAUGHTER AND SENTENCE OF TWENTY (20) YEARS WITH EIGHT (8) YEARS SUSPENDED, FIVE (5) YEARS SUPERVISED PROBATION AND TWELVE (12) YEARS TO SERVE IN THE CUSTODY OF THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS AFFIRMED. PRATHER, C.J., SULLIVAN AND PITTMAN, P.JJ., BANKS, SMITH, WALLER AND COBB, JJ., CONCUR. McRAE, J., CONCURS IN RESULT ONLY.