Ransonette v. State

I agree with the majority opinion on rehearing in several respects. First, I enthusiastically endorse the majority’s holding that a charge on the law of principals is a State’s charge and does not protect a defendant’s rights. This is because a charge on principals makes it easier for the State to convict. It follows, as the majority recognizes, that a trial court may not substitute a charge on principals — or parties, under the new Penal Code — when a charge on circumstantial evidence is mandated.

I also agree with the statements of the majority that:

“A charge on circumstantial evidence is…