Opinion ID: 1150116
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Social relationship.

Text: The trial court's reference in its original decision to the social relationship between Stearns and Hagin was, in our opinion, an oblique, but nonetheless clear, finding relating to the credibility of their testimony. It accepted as true the testimony of Hagin and other corroborative testimony and rejected that of Stearns. It is the prerogative of the trier of facts to evaluate the credibility of witnesses and determine the weight of their testimony, and it is not within the province of the appellate court to instruct the trier of fact that certain witnesses or testimony must be believed. Douglas Spencer v. Las Vegas Sun, 84 Nev. 279, 282, 439 P.2d 473, 475 (1968). Even if references to a social relationship between Stearns and Hagin were excised from the findings of fact, the judgment is amply supported by the findings and there is substantial, even though conflicting, evidence in the record to support the findings. Under such circumstances, we will not disturb the district court's judgment. B & C Enterprises v. Utter, 88 Nev. 433, 498 P.2d 1327 (1972); Western Land Co. v. Truskolaski, 88 Nev. 200, 495 P.2d 624 (1972); Brandon v. Travitsky, 86 Nev. 613, 472 P.2d 353 (1970). We are not persuaded that the district court's reference to a social relationship between Stearns and Hagin was the result of, or resulted in, the application of an improper legal standard. See Wright & Miller, Federal Practice and Procedure: Civil § 2585, and cases cited in n. 7 of that section.