Reddick v. State

Citations

• 25 Fla. 112

Syllabus

<p>1. In all cases where a man is on trial, accused of crime, he has the right to introduce evidence to show his general good character or reputation, but the evidence is to be confined to general reputation, and particular acts of good conduct on the part of the accused cannot be shown in evidence, and the same rule applies to the prosecution. The prosecution cannot puts in issue the character of the accused, but when the accused himself put his character in issue, the State has the right to introduce evidence in rebuttal to show that the general character of the accused is base, but the evidence so introduced by the State, or evidence brought out on cross-examination by the State, must be confined to the general character of the accused, and if particular acts of bad conduct on the part of the accused are allowed in proof, such proof is illegal and cause for reversal.</p> <p>2. The plaintiff in error was indicted for the murder of Henry Churchill, and there was evidence at the trial to show that the name of the deceased was Churcliwell, and there was evidence to show that the deceased was as well known by the name of Churchill as by Churchwell, his true name : Held, That independent of the names being idems aonnns ihere was no error in the verdict of conviction.</p> <p>3. Where counsel for the accuse ! requested the court to charge the jury, and the charge requested by him had already been (substantially) given by the court, the court was not required to repeat the charge.</p>