Opinion ID: 2434754
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: The reasonable doubt instruction which called for reasonable doubt upon the whole case rather than reasonable doubt on each element of each count, as requested by defendant, was error.

Text: The reasonable doubt instruction given in this case was taken, word for word, from Palmore's Kentucky Instructions to Juries, Vol. 1, Section 11.02. Appellant attempts to differentiate between the need for an instruction on reasonable doubt of appellant's guilt to the case as a whole and reasonable doubt of appellant's guilt on each element of each count in the indictment. Instruction No. 1 dealt with trafficking in controlled substance. It advised the jury that it could only find the appellant guilty (1) if it believed beyond a reasonable doubt that the offense was committed in Pulaski County, Kentucky; (2) if it believed beyond a reasonable doubt that the offense occurred between the dates of July 4, 1977, and September 30, 1977; (3) if it believed beyond a reasonable doubt that he possessed with intent to sell a quantity of morphine; and (4) if it believed beyond a reasonable doubt that he knew the substance so possessed by him was morphine. The court further gave the whole-case instruction, which was merely the icing on the cake as far as emphasizing to the jury that its belief of guilt must be beyond a reasonable doubt. We find no fault with the instructions given by the trial court.