Opinion ID: 695199
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Character Evidence Instruction

Text: 15 At trial, defense called several witnesses to testify to the defendant's character. All expressed an opinion that Akinsanya was honest and truthful; that he had a reputation for being law-abiding; and that he did not have a reputation for being a drug dealer. The obvious strategy was to convince the jury that such a fine man would not have been predisposed to sell heroin. Counsel emphasized the defendant's character throughout the proceedings, and tendered jury instructions which would have done the same. The instructions tendered by the defendant were patterned after Seventh Circuit Pattern 3.15, and included reference to the fact that, Character evidence alone may create a reasonable doubt of the defendant's guilt. The court refused to give the instruction, and instead instructed the jury as follows: 16 The defendant has introduced evidence of his character. More specifically, the defendant has introduced reputation and/or opinion evidence about his truthfulness, honesty and law-abidingness. You should consider character evidence with and in the same manner as all the other evidence in the case. 17 The defendant argues on appeal that the district court's actions constitute reversible error. We disagree. 18 The trial court's decision not to give a tendered jury instruction will provide grounds for reversal only if the defendant can satisfy the following criteria: 19 (1) the instruction represents an accurate statement of the law; (2) the instruction reflects a theory [of defense] that is supported by the evidence; (3) the instruction reflects a theory which is not already part of the charge; and (4) the failure to include the instruction would deny the [defendant] a fair trial. 20 United States v. Edwards, 36 F.3d 639, 645 (7th Cir.1994). Reversal is appropriate only if the defendant can satisfy all four criteria. Akinsanya has failed to meet that burden. 21 The pattern jury instruction which the district court gave was an accurate statement of the law regarding the weight to be accorded character evidence. There was no need to duplicate the charge to the jury or emphasize the importance of one type of evidence over another. Edwards, 36 F.3d at 645 (instructions which are accurate statements of the law and which are supported by the record will not be disturbed on appeal). The law is clear in this Circuit, the standing alone instruction even if allowable is never necessary. United States v. Harrington, 919 F.2d 449, 450 (7th Cir.1990). See also United States v. Burke, 781 F.2d 1234, 1238 (7th Cir.1985) (district court properly refused defense request to instruct the jury that character evidence alone may create a reasonable doubt of the defendant's guilt, reasoning that it would have been particularly inappropriate to give the standing alone instruction because the defendant had testified at trial). 22