Cortaia Washington v. State of Mississippi

Summary

The Mississippi Supreme Court affirmed Cortaia Washington’s conviction for intimidating a witness under Mississippi Code Section 97-9-55. The court held that the jury’s verdict was not against the overwhelming weight of the evidence, noting that Washington accompanied her aunt to confront a witness about testimony and then physically assaulted the witness. The court reviewed the denial of the motion for a new trial under an abuse-of-discretion standard.

Holdings

1. The circuit court did not abuse its discretion in denying Washington's motion for a new trial because the verdict was not so contrary to the overwhelming weight of the evidence that allowing it to stand would sanction an unconscionable injustice.

Questions Presented

1. Whether the circuit court abused its discretion by denying Washington's motion for a new trial on the ground that the jury's verdict was against the overwhelming weight of the evidence.
2. Whether the evidence supported the jury's finding that Washington attempted to intimidate or otherwise influence a witness through force or abuse in violation of Mississippi Code section 97-9-55.

Disposition

affirmed