Court Opinion

ID: 9707945
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 02:25:37.758579+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:22:40.439512
License: Public Domain

RAWLINGS, Justice
(dissenting).
Being unable to agree with Division IV of the majority opinion I respectfully dissent.
There is no need to here repeat the objectionable alibi instruction which was instantly given.
It is to me apparent the first paragraph thereof, referring to alibi as a “complete defense”, serves, in effect, to tell the jury that as a defense the burden is on defendant to prove it.
That impression is then emphasized by the second paragraph which alludes to introduction of evidence by defendant tending to prove he was elsewhere when the subject crime was committed.
Furthermore, reference to other instructions regarding burden of proof could not, to a lay jury, serve to remedy the impression conveyed by the defective instruction as given.
I submit we should now adopt this or some other acceptable instruction on alibi:
“Evidence has been introduced tending to establish an alibi; which amounts to a contention that the defendant was not present at the time when, and the place where, he is alleged to have committed the offense charged in the indictment.
“If, after consideration of all the evidence in the case, you have a reasonable doubt as to whether the defendant was present at the time and place the alleged offense was committed, you should acquit him.
“The jury will always bear in mind that the law never imposes upon a defendant in a criminal case the burden or duty of calling any witnesses or producing any evidence.”
See Mathes and Devitt, Federal Jury Practice and Instructions, § 8.27 (1968 Pocket Part), and supportive citations.
I would accordingly reverse and remand for a new trial.
MASON and BECKER, JJ., join in this dissent.