Johnson v. State

HARWOOD, Justice.

In this case, the Court of Criminal Appeals has reversed the judgment of guilty entered in the defendant’s trial on a charge of robbery. The sole basis of the reversal was the refusal of Charge 1 requested in writing by the defendant. Charge 1 reads:

“I charge you ladies and gentlemen of the jury that the prior record of the defendant is not evidence of the guilt or innocence of the defendant in this case.”

During the cross-examination of the defendant in the trial below, it was shown that he had previously been convicted of forgery, larceny, and automobile burglary.

In Eagle…