State v. Jones

Day, J., douoeVgood chwaotor. I. The evidence against the defendant was altogether circumstantial. The defendant introduced a number of witnesses who testified that his character as a peaceable and law-abiding citizen was good. Respecting this testimony the court instructed the jury as follows: “The defendant lias given evidence tending to prove that prior to the transaction in question he had been a man of a peaceable and law-abiding character.' Evidence of this character is always admissible in criminal cases, but its weight and importance is always to be determined by the jury. In cases…