A trial court is not required to give negative instructions as to matters that will not support a conviction in a criminal case. It is unnecessary to explain those things which will not constitute a crime, though a court may do so in the interest of clarity. State v. Brooks, 73 Wn.2d 653, 440 P.2d 199 (1968); State v. Harvey, 57 Wn.2d 295, 356 P.2d 726 (1960); State v. Hannigan, 3 Wn. App. 529, 475 P.2d 886 (1970). If this proposed instruction had been given, it would have afforded further enlightenment to the jury and afforded assistance to the defendant in clearly presenting his theory of the case; however, it did not constitute prejudicial error to refuse it. The state introduced evidence that one of the defendant's assistants previously had sold drugs illegally in his office.
Further, evidence that other worthless checks were issued by the defendant at about the same time as the check upon which the prosecution is based is relevant and competent to show his intent and general plan of operations. State v. Scherer, 77 Wn.2d 345, 351, 462 P.2d 549 (1969); State v. Hannigan, 3 Wn. App. 529, 530, 475 P.2d 886 (1970). The trial court did not abuse its discretion in admitting the checks given to Braniff Airlines into evidence or in allowing the testimony establishing that it was the defendant who passed those checks.
A trial court is not required to give negative instructions and its failure to do so does not constitute error. State v. Bell, 83 Wn.2d 383, 518 P.2d 696 (1974); State v. Hannigan, 3 Wn. App. 529, 475 P.2d 886 (1970). Judgment is affirmed.
It is unnecessary to explain those things which will not constitute a crime, though a court may do so in the interest of clarity. State v. Brooks, 73 Wn.2d 653, 440 P.2d 199 (1968); State v. Harvey, 57 Wn.2d 295, 356 P.2d 726 (1960); State v. Hannigan, 3 Wn. App. 529, 475 P.2d 886 (1970). If this proposed instruction had been given, it would have afforded further enlightenment to the jury and afforded assistance to the defendant in clearly presenting his theory of the case; however, it did not constitute prejudicial error to refuse it. [6] The state introduced evidence that one of the defendant's assistants previously had sold drugs illegally in his office.
An appellate court will not reverse a jury verdict which was based upon substantial evidence. State v. Weiss, 73 Wn.2d 372, 438 P.2d 610 (1968); State v. Hannigan, 3 Wn. App. 529, 475 P.2d 886 (1970). The defendant's second assignment of error is that the arrest of Stott and his codefendant for another crime during the trial was prejudicial error.