Stevens argues that without D-18, the jurors were not informed as to the meaning of the terms presented to them in the jury instructions, specifically, the term "not guilty." ¶ 60. A similar instruction was rejected by the trial court in Williams v. State, 589 So.2d 1278, 1279 (Miss. 1991). This Court denied Williams's assignment of error on appeal, stating that the burden of proof instructions and a presumption of innocence instruction granted by the trial court adequately informed the jury of the presumption of Williams's innocence and the State's burden of proof.
This Court has also been clear in holding that the trial court is not required to instruct the jury repeatedly on a question of law. Williams v. State, 589 So.2d 1278, 1280 (Miss. 1991). ¶ 22. From the record, it is plain that the State attempted to prove this case through evidence that was entirely circumstantial.
; Chase v. State, 645 So.2d 829, 851 (Miss. 1994); Williams v. State, 589 So.2d 1278, 1280 (Miss. 1991)). Further, inBerry v. State, 859 So.2d 399, 404 (¶17) (Miss. Ct. App. 2003), this Court stated that it was proper to refuse a jury instruction defining reasonable doubt because the instruction was "superfluous."
The Mississippi Supreme Court has repeatedly-and consistently asserted that "[r]easonable doubt defines itself." Lett v. State, 902 So. 2d 630, 638 (¶27) (Miss. Ct. App. 2005) (citing Martin v. State, 854 So. 2d 1004, 1009 (¶12) (Miss. 2003); Chase v. State, 645 So. 2d 829, 851 (Miss. 1994); Williams v. State, 589 So. 2d 1278, 1280 (Miss, 1991)). Further, in Berry v. State, 859 So. 2d 399, 404 (¶17) (Miss. Ct. App. 2003), this Court stated that it was proper to refuse a jury instruction defining reasonable doubt because the instruction was "superfluous."
2003); Chase v. State, 645 So.2d 829, 851 (Miss. 1994); Williams v. State, 589 So.2d 1278, 1280 (Miss. 1991); Allman v. State, 571 So.2d 244, 252 (Miss. 1990); Barnes v. State, 532 So.2d 1231, 1235 (Miss.
Barnes v. State, 532 So.2d 1231, 1235 (Miss. 1988); see also Williams v. State, 589 So.2d 1278, 1280 (Miss. 1991). The trial judge properly denied the instruction.