Opinion ID: 2537633
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Whether the trial court erred in refusing jury instruction D-54A.

Text: ¶ 36. Fulgham argues that the trial court erred in refusing jury instruction D-54A, which reads: The court instructs the jury that it is the duty of each and every juror on the panel to make up his own verdict for himself, and to be governed by his own judgment and conscience alone after conferring with his fellow jurors. If any single juror on this panel, after conferring with his fellow jurors, is not satisfied by the evidence to a moral certainty of the guilt of the defendant, then it is the sworn duty of the said juror to vote not guilty, and never to yield his judgment but firmly stand by it so long as he is not satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt of the defendant's guilt even though every other juror on the panel disagree with him. The trial court denied the instruction as being repetitive and without foundation in the law. We find the jury was properly instructed that the State had the burden to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt and to the exclusion of every reasonable hypothesis consistent with innocence. Further, when all instructions are read as a whole, we agree that proposed instruction D-54A is repetitious of instruction C-11, which reads: The verdict of the jury must represent the considered judgment of each juror. In order to return a verdict it will be necessary that each juror agree thereto. In other words, all twelve jurors must agree on a verdict in this case. It is your duty as jurors to consult with one another and to deliberate in view of reaching an agreement if you can do so without violence to your individual judgment. Each of you must decide the case for yourself, but do so only after an impartial consideration of the evidence with your fellow jurors. In the course of your deliberations do not hesitate to re-examine your own views and change your opinion if convinced that it is erroneous, but do not surrender your honest convictions as to the weight or effect of evidence solely because of the opinion of your fellow jurors or for the mere purpose of returning a verdict. We find that the trial court did not err in excluding D-54A as being repetitive of instructions already granted.