Opinion ID: 1675525
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: Doubts Regarding Errors Resolved in Favor of Accused

Text: Fourth, bona fide doubts are resolved in favor of the accused. In Gambrell v. State, 92 Miss. 728, 46 So. 138 (1908), a death penalty case, the Court held that Whenever there is any serious doubt in the law as to whether or not certain proof is or is not permissible, a safe rule to pursue is to solve the doubt in favor of the accused and permit the testimony to go to the jury. 92 Miss. at 736, 46 So. at 138. The Court then applied the same rule to close questions regarding jury instructions. What is here said in reference to admitting testimony in cases of serious legal doubt equally applies to the granting of instructions in favor of the accused. 92 Miss. at 736, 46 So. at 138.