Arnold v. State

This was a prosecution for assault and battery. There was a jury trial, and conviction below.

The court below, (an attorney occupying the bench to try the cause) instructed the jury as follows: “A reasonable doubt as to any material fact must be such a doubt that convinces you that the fact does not exist. Perhaps in. this I may have given you the law a little too strong. I will modify it by saying this, If there is a reasonable doubt that arises in your minds, that convinces you that the fact is not as charged, you may acquit.”

This was an error.. A doubt never convinces. A reasonable doubt…