Opinion ID: 1678006
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: standard of review

Text: This case is before us after the trial court granted a directed verdict in favor of Rice. A motion for a directed verdict under SDCL 15-6-50(a) questions the legal sufficiency of the evidence to sustain a verdict against the moving party. Denke v. Mamola, 437 N.W.2d 205 (S.D.1989); Carlson v. First Nat. Bank, 429 N.W.2d 463 (S.D.1988); Sabag v. Continental South Dakota, 374 N.W.2d 349 (S.D.1985). Upon such a motion, the trial court must determine whether there is substantial evidence to continue the action. Denke, 437 N.W.2d at 207; Carlson, 429 N.W.2d at 466; Sabag, 374 N.W.2d at 355. At this point in the trial, the court, in making this determination, is not free to weigh the evidence or gauge the credibility of the witnesses. Denke, 437 N.W.2d at 207; Baldwin v. First Nat. Bank of Black Hills, 362 N.W.2d 85 (S.D.1985). The trial court, as well as this court on appeal, must view the evidence in a light most favorable to the nonmoving party and give that party the benefit of all reasonable inferences that can be drawn from the evidence. Denke, 437 N.W.2d at 207; Carlson, 429 N.W.2d at 466; Kreager v. Blomstrom Oil Co., 379 N.W.2d 307 (S.D.1985). If, when so viewed, there is any substantial evidence to sustain the cause of action or defense, it must be submitted to the finder of fact. Denke, supra ; Baldwin, supra .