Opinion ID: 1060912
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Sequential Instructions

Text: The appellant next contends that the trial court erred in giving sequential instructions on first degree murder, second degree murder, and voluntary manslaughter. We disagree. This court has repeatedly upheld acquittal-first instructions. See State v. Raines, 882 S.W.2d 376, 381-82 (Tenn. Crim. App.), perm. to appeal denied, (Tenn. 1994); State v. McPherson, 882 S.W.2d 365, 375 (Tenn. Crim. App.), perm. to appeal denied, (Tenn. 1994); State v. Rutherford, 876 S.W.2d 118, 119-20 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1993), perm. to appeal denied, (Tenn. 1994); State v. Beckham, No. 02C01-9406-CR-00107, 1996 WL 389321 (Tenn. Crim. App., at Jackson, Sept. 27, 1995). Accordingly, this issue is without merit.