Opinion ID: 1239401
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Trial Court's Refusal to Give Instructions as to Defendant's Good Character

Text: The defendant cited as authority for giving of the two offered instructions Am.Jur. Trials, Am.Jur.2d and a 1954 California case. We are unable to find reference to the offered instructions in any of the citations. The citations have to do with the introduction of evidence as to the good reputation and character of one charged with a crime and not with instructions. It is also noted that defendant made no citation to the record where objections were made to the trial court's refusal to give the requested instructions which set forth his reasons and grounds why the requested instructions should be given. We have examined the record and find no discussion as to the offered instructions. Under Rule 51, the defendant may not assign as error failure to give such instructions where he failed to point out to the trial court his reasons therefor. There was no fundamental error in the trial court's failure to give the requested instructions. In his brief defendant contended that the trial court refused to give any from [sic] of Instruction regarding the good character of the Defendant, but an examination of the record revealed this is not true. The trial court, without objection from either the State or the defendant, instructed the jury: The defendant has introduced evidence of his good reputation in his community for peacefulness, good order, non-violence and truthfulness. You are instructed that evidence of good reputation may be considered with all the other evidence in the case in determining whether the prosecution has proved the defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. There was, accordingly, no error in this regard.