State v. Ingland

HUSKINS, Justice.

Defendant assigns as error the failure of the trial judge to define reasonable doubt. In the absence of a request, such a charge is not required. State v. Potts, 266 N.C. 117, 145 S.E. 2d 307 (1965); State v. Browder, 252 N.C. 35, 112 S.E. 2d 728 (1960); State v. Lee, 248 N.C. 327, 103 S.E. 2d 295 (1958) ; State v. Hammonds, 241 N.C. 226, 85 S.E. 2d 133 (1954). It is the better practice, however, to do so and “seems to be well nigh the universal practice of our trial judges. ...” State v. Hammonds, supra.

Defendant next assigns as error the failure of the judge to charge the…