Williams v. State

Indictment for grand larceny. Verdict against the defendant; upon which the Court, having refused a new trial, rendered judgment.

The evidence being closed, the defendant moved to instruct the jury as follows:

“ By the constitution of this state, the jury in criminal cases are the judges both of the law and the facts.”

This instruction was refused; but the Court gave the following:

“ You are the exclusive judges of the evidence, and may determine the law; but it is as much your duty to believe the law to be as charged to you by the Court, as it is your sworn duty to determine the evidence.”

Whether…