Birdsong v. State

In this State one accused of crime has the “right to make to the court and jury such statement in the case as he may deem proper in his defense.” Code, § 38-415. In making his statement the defendant is not to be circumscribed by rules of evidence, and thus is not to be confined to the statement of facts which legally will acquit him of the crime charged. Skinner v. State, 13 Ga. App. 370 (2) (79 S. E. 181); Coxwell v. State, 66 Ga. 309 (5); Richardson v. State, 3 Ga. App. 313 (2) (59 S. E. 916); Woodall v. State, 4 Ga. App. 783 (62 S. E. 485). And while the judge may prevent the defendant…