State v. Bridgers

Tbe defendant’s chief assignment of error relates to the charge of the court bearing on the character evidence offered below by both sides. The State offered testimony as to the good character of its witnesses, Frances and Mary Ellen Hall. The defendant, after taking the stand as a witness in his own behalf, offered five witnesses who testified to his good character. The trial court’s single reference to the character evidence is embodied in the following instruction, to which the defendant excepted:

“I charge you further, gentlemen of the jury, that character testimony is direct testimony and…