Opinion ID: 1855302
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 17

Heading: whether the trial court committed reversible error in denying mr. humphrey's motion for a directed verdict at the completion of the state's case in chief.

Text: ¶ 57. We have stated: The standard of review for a motion for a directed verdict is as follows: The standard of review in challenges to the sufficiency of the evidence is one in which all the evidence is considered in a light most favorable to the verdict. Collier v. State, 711 So.2d 458, 461 (Miss.1998). The credible evidence consistent with the guilt must be accepted as true, and the prosecution must be given the benefit of all favorable inferences which may be reasonably drawn from the evidence. Collier v. State, 711 So.2d at 461 (quoting Wetz v. State, 503 So.2d 803, 808 (Miss.1987); Coleman v. State, 697 So.2d 777, 787 (Miss.1997)). Matters regarding the weight and credibility are to be resolved by the jury, and this Court may reverse only where the evidence so considered is such that reasonable and fair-minded jurors could only find the accused not guilty. Collier at 461.... Williams v. State, 757 So.2d 953, 956 (Miss.1999). ¶ 58. Humphrey contends that the trial court erred in declining to grant him a directed verdict because the State failed to establish all of the elements of the crime of capital murder. Humphrey's assertion that the best case the State could have presented is manslaughter is without merit. The fact that Mrs. Phillips suffered a slow, lingering death rather than an immediate one does not turn capital murder into manslaughter. The trial court found that there was direct evidence placed before the jury that the event occurred in Tate County, allowing jurisdiction to attach; direct evidence of a forced entry into the Phillips residence, an essential element of burglary; direct evidence from witnesses Reed and Brooks placing the defendant at the scene; and corroborating evidence that a fingerprint of the defendant was found at the scene. Viewing such evidence before the jury in a light which gives the prosecution the benefit of all favorable inferences which may be reasonably drawn from the evidence, there is nothing in the record to indicate that reasonable and fair minded jurors could only reach a verdict of not guilty.