Tilus v. State

An altercation in the jail brings this case to us. The defendant appeals his conviction and sentence for battery on a law enforcement officer. He claims three errors in the trial court’s rulings: (1) permitting improper cross-examination of the defendant concerning his criminal history; (2) giving confusing and misleading jury instructions; and (3) denying his motion to strike his aliases from the information. We find merit in all three and reverse.

*1147A detention deputy was helping dispense medication to inmates when the defendant began yelling that he wanted his medication. The deputy told the…