Opinion ID: 1097811
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Did the trial court err in refusing instructions D-5, D-8 and D-10?

Text: Instruction D-5 related the following: The Court instructs the Jury that it is your sworn duty to commence the investigation of this case with the presumption that the Defendant is innocent of the crime with which he is charged. This presumption is not an idle form, but it is a fundamental and important part of the law of the land; and you should act upon this presumption throughout your consideration of the evidence, unless it shall have been overcome by proof of guilt so strong, credible and conclusive as to convince your mind beyond every reasonable doubt that the Defendant is guilty. The law does not require the Defendant to prove his innocence. Instruction C-2, which was granted by the court, clearly announced the presumption of innocence to which appellant was entitled. A trial court is not required to give instructions which are covered by other instructions although the language may differ. Sadler v. State, 407 So.2d 95 (Miss. 1981). There was no error in the refusal of this instruction. Instructions D-8 and D-10 were both circumstantial evidence instructions. The present case was far from being a circumstantial evidence case. Where the state's case is not based entirely on circumstantial evidence, the granting of such an instruction is improper. Smith v. State, 394 So.2d 1367 (Miss. 1981). The refusal of these instructions was proper. Based on the foregoing, appellant's conviction and sentence are hereby affirmed. AFFIRMED. PATTERSON, C.J., WALKER and BROOM, P.JJ., and ROY NOBLE LEE, BOWLING, HAWKINS, PRATHER and ROBERTSON, JJ., concur.