Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Character evidence key when criminal intent is an issue

In State v. Lee-Grigg, the Court of Appeals held that in a forgery case it was error for the trial judge not to charge the jury on good character when several character witnesses testified in favor of the defendant. The Court described criminal intent as key to the case and character evidence was inextricably intertwined with intent. Hence, the error could not be harmless and a new trial was ordered.

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