Opinion ID: 1739811
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: was there sufficient evidence to support the granting of a divorce on the ground of adultery?

Text: We begin with the basic statement that unless the chancellor's determination of fact is manifestly wrong this Court will uphold his decision. Dubois v. Dubois, 275 So.2d 100 (Miss. 1973). It is also well accepted law in this jurisdiction that in order to grant a divorce on the ground of adultery, adultery must be proven by clear and convincing evidence. McCraney v. McCraney, 208 Miss. 105, 43 So.2d 872 (1950). In Mississippi one seeking a divorce on the grounds of adulterous activity must show by clear and convincing evidence both an adulterous inclination and a reasonable opportunity to satisfy that inclination. Owen v. Gerity, 422 So.2d 284, 287 (Miss. 1982); Magee v. Magee, 320 So.2d 779, 783 (Miss. 1975); Rodgers v. Rodgers, 274 So.2d 671, 673 (Miss. 1973). Where the plaintiff relies on circumstantial evidence as proof for his allegations, he or she retains the burden of presenting satisfactory evidence sufficient to lead the trier of fact to conclusion of guilt. Rodgers, 274 So.2d at 673. However, such evidence need not prove the alleged acts beyond a reasonable doubt and the plaintiff is not required to present direct testimony as to the events complained of due to their secretive nature. Bunkley & Morse's Amis, Divorce & Separation in Mississippi, § 3.09(5) (1957). Nevertheless, the burden of proof is a heavy one in such cases because the evidence must be logical, tend to prove the facts charged, and be inconsistent with a reasonable theory of innocence. Owen, 422 So.2d at 287, citing and quoting Banks v. Banks, 118 Miss. 783, 79 So. 841 (Miss. 1918). Additionally, a decision concerning such a claim ultimately requires the chancellor to make a finding of fact. See Cheek v. Ricker, 431 So.2d 1139, 1143 (Miss. 1983) (adulterous relationship necessarily requires finding of fact). Where chancellors make such findings of fact, this Court has consistently held that their decisions will not be set aside on appeal unless they are manifestly wrong. Devereaux v. Devereaux, 493 So.2d 1310, 1312 (Miss. 1986); Culbreath v. Johnson, 427 So.2d 705, 707-708 (Miss. 1983); Voss v. Stewart, 420 So.2d 761, 765 (Miss. 1982). Upon this record we are satisfied that there is sufficient evidence to support the chancellor's granting of a divorce on the grounds of adultery and that that finding was not manifestly wrong. There is no merit to this assignment of error.