Butler v. State
Butler v. State
Opinion of the Court
delivered the opinion of the court.
Nobt. Butler was indicted in the Criminal Court of Davidson for stealing ten bogs of the value of thirty-five dollars. He was convicted and sentenced to three years imprisonment in the penitentiary. He has appealed to this court.
The evidence abundantly sustains the verdict of the jury; but exception is taken to the charge of the court. After' defining the offense with entire accuracy and clearness, the judge concluded as follows:
“ The jury are judges of the proof. If they are satisfied of defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt they should convict; if not, acquit.”
1. It is objected that in telling the jury that they are “judges of the proof,” the judge may have made the impression on them that they are not also judges of the law, from the fact of his omitting to remind them of their right to judge of the law as well as the facts. If the defendant’s counsel had requested the court to charge the jury as to their right to judge of the law, and he had refused, or neglected to do so, it might have misled the jury as to their rights, and, therefore, been erroneous.
But we must presume that all jurors are apprized of their constitutional rights in this regard, and if they did not exercise it, we are to presume it was because they were content with the law as expounded by the court.
2. It is said that it was not enough for the judge to tell the jury that “if they are satisfied of the de
Judgment affirmed.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- R. Butler v. State
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- 1 case
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- Published