Opinion ID: 1779869
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: denial of culp's motion for a directed verdict.

Text: ¶ 35. When reviewing the denial of a motion for a directed verdict testing the sufficiency of the evidence, the appellate court does not itself have to be convinced of the guilt of the defendant. Bush v. State, 895 So.2d 836, 843 (Miss.2005). Instead, the relevant question is whether, after viewing the evidence in a light most favorable to the prosecution, any rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements of the crime beyond a reasonable doubt. Id. ¶ 36. After the close of the State's case, Culp moved for a directed verdict on all remaining counts of the indictment. The motion was denied by the trial court, and Culp now challenges Counts I, II, VIII and IX of the indictment.