Opinion ID: 1088392
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: error patent on the face of the record

Text: The defendant pleaded Not Guilty and Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity; the plea was never withdrawn. Defendant now argues that the trial judge neglected to instruct the jury regarding his insanity plea, and that his failure to do so is reversible error. Defendant's argument is without merit. Even if the trial court failed to instruct the jury regarding the insanity plea, which we cannot determine because of the absence of the general charge from the record, the error is not reviewable. This Court has consistently held that, absent a contemporaneous objection, a defendant may not on appeal complain of the trial judge's charge to the jury. Under Article 920, LSA-C.Cr.P., a defect in the general charge is not an error discoverable by a mere inspection of the pleadings and proceedings. See State v. Craddock, La., 307 So.2d 342 (1975) and the cases therein cited. Since in the present case no objection was made at the time the charge was given, the defendant cannot complain of the charge on appeal. For the reasons assigned, the conviction and sentence are affirmed.