P. v. Bryson
A number of appellate decisions have cautioned trial judges against tinkering with the statutory definition of reasonable doubt. An amplification of the reasonable doubt standard, no matter how well intentioned, can create confusion and lead to reversal on appeal. (See People v. Johnson (2004) 119 Cal.App.4th 976, 985-986.) This is such a case. Court agree with appellant Thompson Lee Bryson, Jr., that the trial courts efforts during voir dire to clarify the meaning of reasonable doubt effectively lowered the prosecutions burden of proof. Accordingly, Court reverse the judgment.
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