Opinion ID: 3172183
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Denial of Jury’s Request for Dictionary

Text: [¶26] In his next claim of error, Mr. Marfil contends that the district court erred in failing to instruct the jury on the definition of the term “inflicts” when the jury requested a dictionary during its deliberations. The jury’s request for a dictionary came shortly after it began deliberations and resulted in the following exchange between the district court and counsel: THE COURT: All right. We already have a question, a quick question from the jury requesting, Number 1, a dictionary; and, Number 2, requesting a copy of the law that was broken. I’ll be glad to hear from counsel as to how we ought to respond to the jury’s question. Miss Johnson. MS. JOHNSON: Judge, I think the answer to Question No. 1 is: We can’t give you a dictionary. I think the answer to Question No. 2 is: The law that was broken is contained in the elements instruction. I really think that’s what it boils down to.