Opinion ID: 2196733
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 12

Heading: standard of review-instructions

Text: The trial court should instruct the jury on issues supported by competent evidence in the record. Kallis v. Beers, 375 N.W.2d 642, 644 (S.D.1985). Generally, failure to give a requested instruction that correctly sets forth the law is prejudicial error. Schelske v. South Dakota Poultry Co-op, 465 N.W.2d 187, 190 (S.D.1991). The court is not required to instruct on issues that do not find support in the record. Stormo v. Strong, 469 N.W.2d 816, 824 (S.D.1991). Jury instructions are reviewed as a whole and are sufficient if they correctly state the law and inform the jury. Cody v. Edward D. Jones & Co., 502 N.W.2d 558, 563 (S.D.1993); State v. Martin, 449 N.W.2d 29, 33 (S.D.1989). Error is not reversible unless it is prejudicial. SDCL 15-6-61; Drier v. Great American Ins. Co., 409 N.W.2d 357, 360 n. 2 (S.D. 1987). The party asserting error has the burden of showing prejudice in failure to give a requested instruction. State v. Corder, 460 N.W.2d 733, 738 (S.D.1990); State v. Grey Owl, 295 N.W.2d 748, 751 (S.D.1980). The appellant must show the jury might, and probably would, have returned a different verdict if the proposed instruction had been given. Frey v. Kouf, 484 N.W.2d 864, 868 (S.D.1992); Schelske v. South Dakota Poultry Co-op, supra, 465 N.W.2d at 190.