of satisfying the finder of fact that he or she has proven every element of his or her claim by a preponderance of the evidence. A preponderance of the evidence means such evidence as, when considered with that opposed to it, has more convincing force, and demonstrates that what is sought to be proved “is more likely true than not true.” See Pattern Jury Instructions, Basie Instruction No. 6.1, U.S. Eleventh Circuit District Judges Association (Civil Cases) (1990). In bench trials, the judge serves as the sole fact-finder and, thus, assumes the role of the jury. In this capacity, the judge’s function includes weighing the evidence, evaluating the credibility of witnesses, and deciding questions of fact, as well as issues of law. Childrey v. Bennett, 997 F.2d 830, 834 (11th Cir.1993) (<HOLDING>). Moreover, “a trial judge sitting without a
holding that the weight and credibility to be given to the opinions of expert witnesses is uniquely within the province of the fact finder  in this instance the trial court citation omitted holding that the postconviction court is the sole judge of the weight of the evidence and the credibility of witnesses holding trial court is sole and exclusive judge of witnesses credibility holding that it is the exclusive province of the judge in nonjury trials to assess the credibility of witnesses and to assign weight to their testimony holding that the jury is the judge of the weight and credibility given to witness testimony