Court Opinion

ID: 9666687
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-24 01:25:29.346788+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:15:32.219008
License: Public Domain

HOWERTON, Chief Judge,
dissenting.
I respectfully dissent on the issue of undue influence. I would affirm Judge McDaniel’s directed verdict. I find only opportunity and possible suspicion of undue influence. There was no proof of undue influence, and the disposition of Mr. Mattingly’s property was not so unnatural in light of all circumstances. Mere oppor*852tunity is not sufficient to support a finding of undue influence.
In hindsight, it would have been more satisfactory to have had the jury decide the question. The jurors should have upheld the validity of the will, but if they had not, a judgment n.o.v. could have been considered. The case was ready to be presented to the jury, and a finding of no undue influence would have solidly settled the issue.
Nevertheless, I see no need to retry this case. In my opinion, the totality of the facts, and a reasonable interpretation of them, support the directed verdict.