Maxwell v. State

The only issue before this court is whether or not the court committed reversible error in refusing to allow the knife to be introduced for the consideration of the jury. It is our opinion that there is no doubt that the knife in controversy was a deadly weapon and perhaps the admissibility of the knife was doubtful. The Supreme Court said in Mitchell v. State, 71 Ga. 128, 156: “In view of the well-settled rule that penal laws are to be strictly construed in favor of the life or liberty of the accused, and that as against the State, in furtherance of the same benignant and merciful purpose,…