Atkins v. State
Annotate this CaseArmardo Atkins was convicted of second degree assault in circuit court. On appeal, Atkins argued that the trial judge abused her discretion by instructing the jury that the State was not required to shoulder its burden of persuasion by the use of certain categories of demonstrative evidence. The court of appeals affirmed the convictions. The Supreme Court reversed, holding that the instruction that the State need not use certain investigative and scientific techniques violated Atkins's constitutional rights to due process and a fair trial because it resulted in a non-neutral commentary on the evidence, or lack thereof, invaded the province of the jury, and relieved the State of its burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Remanded for a new trial.
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