Credibility

Defendant appealed the decision of the trial judge sustaining the violation of R.I.G.L. 1956 § 31-20-9 (Obedience to Stop Signs).  The Appeals Panel held that it lacked the authority to assess witness credibility or to substitute its judgment for that of the hearing judge concerning the weight of the evidence on questions of fact.  Therefore, as the trial court found the officer to be credible and because the officer was at the intersection for the sole purpose to witness traffic violations, the Court affirmed the decision of the trial judge sustaining the violation against the defendant.

City of Pawtucket v. Russell Blanco, C.A. No. M12-0002 (May 15, 2012).pdf