Indiana Supreme Court, 1976

Buchanan v. State

Buchanan v. State
Indiana Supreme Court · Decided June 1, 1976 · Hunter
264 Ind. 547; 348 N.E.2d 394; 1976 Ind. LEXIS 490

Buchanan v. State

Opinion of the Court

Concurring Opinion

Hunter, J.

I am in agreement with the majority that the decision by the Court of Appeals be affirmed. However, in my opinion this Court should unequivocally disapprove of the use of the instruction:

“In consideration of the rights of the defendant, do not forget that by each acquittal of a criminal, the safeguards erected by society for its protection are weakened.”

The Court of Appeals in the opinion by Judge Sullivan states in part:

“[W]e are unable to approve the particular instruction before us, in the light of the evidence in this case.”

*548This language modifies the disapproval of this instruction. I believe this Court should expressly and completely reject the use of this instruction in any case by the trial courts of Indiana.

Note. — Reported at 348 N.E.2d 394.

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