Opinion ID: 2541567
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Point Five: Instructions Failed to State Proper Burden of Proof

Text: Tisius argues the circuit court erred in submitting instructions 9 and 15, based upon MAI-CR3d 313.44A, the mitigating circumstances instructions. Tisius claims these instructions unconstitutionally shifted the burden of proof from the State to the defense. This Court will reverse the circuit court's decision to submit an instruction only if the instructional error misled the jury and is so prejudicial that it deprives the defendant of a fair trial. State v. Nash, 339 S.W.3d 500, 511-12 (Mo. banc 2011). MAI instructions are presumed to be valid and, when applicable, must be given. State v. Johnson, 284 S.W.3d 561, 572 (Mo. banc 2009); Rule 28.02(c). Tisius' allegations that the instructions improperly shifted the burden of proof have been rejected by the United States Supreme Court and this Court. The United States Supreme Court stated: So long as a State's method of allocating the burdens of proof does not lessen the State's burden to prove every element of the offense charged, or in this case to prove the existence of aggravating circumstances, a defendant's constitutional rights are not violated by placing on him the burden of proving mitigating circumstances sufficiently substantial to call for leniency. Kansas v. Marsh, 548 U.S. 163, 170-71, 126 S.Ct. 2516, 165 L.Ed.2d 429 (2006) (quoting Walton v. Arizona, 497 U.S. 639, 650, 110 S.Ct. 3047, 111 L.Ed.2d 511 (1990) ( overruled on other grounds by Ring v. Arizona, 536 U.S. 584, 122 S.Ct. 2428, 153 L.Ed.2d 556 (2002)). This Court has rejected this argument in Davis, 318 S.W.3d at 643; Johnson, 284 S.W.3d at 587-89; Zink, 181 S.W.3d at 74; and State v. Taylor, 134 S.W.3d 21, 30 (Mo. banc 2004). The circuit court did not err.