Madeleine74
Knower of Things
- Joined
- Apr 7, 2011
- Messages
- 11,556
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If I'm on a jury and the state presents evidence to me that shows the accused was involved in the crime charged, and if there's enough evidence to prove it, even if I don't have a reason why the accused did what s/he did, I can still convict as long as the state proved the charges B.A.R.D. The evidence is #1. Without evidence there shouldn't even be an arrest, let alone a trial. The judge's instructions are also something to be followed, and the instructions lay out the law and the criteria. Pattern jury instructions include an instruction that proving motive, while helpful, is not a burden the state has to meet.