Opinion ID: 2066101
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: standard of review

Text: The standard to be applied in reviewing a motion for new trial has been oft-repeated and is well settled in this jurisdiction. See Barbato v. Epstein, 97 R.I. 191, 193, 196 A.2d 836, 837 (1964). When passing on a motion for new trial, the trial justice acts as a thirteenth juror and exercises independent judgment on the credibility of witnesses and on the weight of the evidence. State v. Bergevine, 942 A.2d 974, 981 (R.I.2008) (quoting State v. Gomez, 848 A.2d 221, 234 (R.I. 2004)). In so doing, the trial justice must (1) consider the evidence in light of the jury charge, (2) independently assess the credibility of the witnesses and the weight of the evidence, and then (3) determine whether he or she would have reached a result different from that reached by the jury. State v. Schloesser, 940 A.2d 637, 639 (R.I.2007) (quoting State v. Morales, 895 A.2d 114, 121 (R.I.2006)). If, after conducting this independent review, the trial justice agrees with the jury's verdict or if the evidence is such that reasonable minds could differ as to the outcome, the motion for a new trial should be denied. Id. (quoting Gomez, 848 A.2d at 234 and State v. Otero, 788 A.2d 469, 472 (R.I. 2002)). If, however, the trial justice finds that the state has failed to prove the defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, a new trial must be ordered. Bergevine, 942 A.2d at 981; State v. Pona, 926 A.2d 592, 615 (R.I.2007). On review by this Court, a trial justice's ruling on a motion for new trial is entitled to great weight provided that he has articulated an adequate rationale for denying a motion. Bergevine, 942 A.2d at 981 (quoting State v. Hesford, 900 A.2d 1194, 1199 (R.I.2006) and State v. Rieger, 763 A.2d 997, 1002 (R.I.2001)). A trial justice's ruling on a new-trial motion will not be overturned unless the trial justice was clearly wrong or unless he or she overlooked or misconceived material and relevant evidence that related to a critical issue in the case. State v. Lynch, 854 A.2d 1022, 1046 (R.I.2004) (quoting State v. Bolduc, 822 A.2d 184, 187 (R.I.2003)).