State v. Randle

The Supreme Court affirmed Defendant’s convictions for unauthorized ingestion of a controlled substance and possession of two ounces or less of marijuana but reversed and remanded for a new trial Defendant’s conviction for first-degree manslaughter, holding that the circuit court erred in instructing the jury on first-degree manslaughter.After the State concluded its case-in-chief, Defendant submitted a proposed jury instruction on excusable homicide. The circuit court denied Defendant’s proposed instruction, noting that it was submitted after the State had rested and determining that defendant’s conduct was unlawful. The Supreme Court held that because the evidence presented a theory for the jury’s consideration whether the homicide was accidental and excusable, the circuit court erred in failing to give the excusable homicide instruction, and the error prejudiced Defendant. The Court further held that the circuit court did not abuse its discretion by denying Defendant’s motions for mistrial. View "State v. Randle" on Justia Law