Court Opinion

ID: 9545394
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-07 17:11:17.295137+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T15:14:39.938931
License: Public Domain

Lockett, J.,
concurring and dissenting: I concur with the majority’s determination that the verdict is either contrary to the evidence or the instructions, and a new trial is required.
In reaching its conclusion, the majority notes:
“When a verdict is challenged for insufficiency of evidence or as being contrary to the evidence, it is not the function of this court to weigh the evidence or pass on the credibility of the witnesses. If the evidence, with all reasonable inferences to be drawn therefrom, when considered in the light most favorable to the prevailing party, supports the verdict, it will not be disturbed on appeal.”
After stating the proper rule for appellate review, the majority disregards the function of an appellate court by speculating, reweighing the evidence, and commenting on the credibility of witnesses. The following statement exemplifies the majority’s abandonment of the rules of appellate review:
“Francisco did not say which of the two Wesley radiologists suggested that prior films had not been made available for comparison. It seems very unlikely that this suggestion would have been made by Dr. Breckbill, who testified that the 1991 film was available to him when he read the 1992 film and that he continued to believe at the time of trial that his negative report for the 1992 chest X-ray was *689correct. If this suggestion were made by Dr. Bauman, it would be nothing more than speculation. In fact, it might be even less. Dr. Bauman’s casting the responsibility for Dr. Breckbill’s oversight onto the support staff when in conversation with Dr. Breckbill would not be an unheard of social accommodation. Nonetheless, this testimony of Dr. Francisco was heard by the jury, over objection, and may be said to constitute some evidence, although quite weak, that prior films were not available for comparison when the 1991 andl992 films were read.” (Emphasis added.)
The fact that this court found that the verdict was either contrary to the evidence or the instructions, and a new trial is required, prohibits it from weighing the evidence. I must therefore concur in the result but dissent from the majority’s abandoning the standard of review.