Canter v. State

The appellants were tried on a joint indictment charging larceny of a motor vehicle (in three counts), convicted on the first count and sentenced to 18 months imprisonment. The only question raised on appeal is an alleged omission in the court’s charge to the jury. The trial judge told the jury that his instructions were given “in an advisory capacity as to the law”. He also told them, in outlining the possible verdicts, that they should determine guilt or innocence, and stressed the fact that he used the word “may” and not “must” in connection with possible findings. The appellants contend…