Opinion ID: 2119337
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Definition of Motive

Text: Light argues that the trial court erred by giving the jury final instruction no. 4. It reads: The State is not required to prove that the accused had a motive  that is, some understandable reason  for committing the crime with which he is charged. Light contends that defining motive as some understandable reason is a misstatement of law and tends to confuse the jury. This Court has described motive with those same words. Bruce v. State (1978), 268 Ind. 180, 256, 375 N.E.2d 1042, 1082, cert. denied, 439 U.S. 988, 99 S.Ct. 586, 58 L.Ed.2d 662. The trial court did not err in giving this instruction.