Court Opinion

ID: 9731671
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 15:54:12.11806+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:26:20.323297
License: Public Domain

TERRY, Associate Judge,
concurring:
I have grave doubts about the propriety of giving the “acquittal first” instruction in any case. I think it is inherently coercive, essentially for the reasons set forth in Jones v. United States, 544 A.2d 1250, 1253-1254 (D.C.1988). If I were a trial judge, I doubt that I would ever give it at all. Nevertheless, I agree with my colleagues that in this particular case the giving of the instruction was harmless error, and I also agree with their holding that, “where timely requested,” the trial court should give a “reasonable efforts” instruction if the defense wants it. Ante at 262. As of today, that holding is the law of the District of Columbia. I therefore join in the opinion of the court.