Opinion ID: 1385179
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Prosecution May Pursue Multiple Theories of the Case

Text: In an extension of his previous arguments, Mr. Legg contends that the State should have been required to choose the theory upon which it wished to proceed prior to the issuance of jury instructions. As discussed above, we have previously held that the prosecution does not have to choose between alternate theories, and that whether a defendant acted as a principal in the first or second degree is a question of fact for the jury to decide. Ashcraft, 172 W.Va. at 646-47, 309 S.E.2d at 607; State v. Duncan, 179 W.Va. 391, 395-96, 369 S.E.2d 464, 468-69 (1988). Thus, we find that the circuit court properly allowed the instructions on both principal in the first degree and principal in the second degree to be given to the jury. C.