Opinion ID: 359689
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Jury Instructions Theory of Defense.

Text: 50  A defendant is entitled to an instruction on his theory of the case if there is evidence to support it and a proper request is entered. United States v. Brown, 540 F.2d 364, 380 (8th Cir. 1976). However, the court is entitled to use its own language in framing instructions. United States v. Nance, 502 F.2d 615, 619-20 (8th Cir. 1974), Cert. denied, 420 U.S. 926, 95 S.Ct. 1123, 43 L.Ed.2d 396 (1975). Consequently, it is sufficient if the charge to the jury adequately and correctly covers the substance of the requested instruction. See United States v. Brown, supra ; United States v. Nance, supra. 51 Rabbitt contends that the district court erred in refusing to give any instruction on his theory of defense as to the counts dealing with S.B. 110. In refusing to give Rabbitt's proffered instruction, 15 the court stated, I don't believe it is necessary to give it. I think it is covered by the instructions presently to be given by the court. 52 The instructions to the jury, taken as a whole, adequately advised that to convict on the S.B. 110 transaction the jury needed to find beyond a reasonable doubt that Rabbitt extorted money through Worn with the aid of John Connaghan. 53 We find no error in these instructions nor in the court's failure to adopt the tendered instruction of Rabbitt on this issue. See United States v. Brown, supra, 540 F.2d at 380-81; United States v. Barrett, 505 F.2d 1091, 1107 (7th Cir. 1974), Cert. denied, 421 U.S. 964, 95 S.Ct. 1951, 44 L.Ed.2d 450 (1975); United States v. Nance, supra, 502 F.2d at 619. 54