787 So. 2d 1282 - Moore v. State’s Empirical Analysis

Citation profile

26 state decisions

Most-quoted passages

The sentences later courts lift from this opinion, ranked by how many decisions quote each — the parts of the opinion doing the work. These counts are smaller than the citation total above because most of the 26 citing decisions cite the case generally; a passage count includes only decisions quoting that exact language verbatim.

1. “In view of our position on the unreliability of jailhouse informant or “snitch” testimony, we do not agree that [the instruction offered by the State] adequately instructed the jury on the weight to be given to [the jailhouse snitch’s] testimony. For the foregoing reasons, this Court finds that the trial court erred in refusing jury instruction D-24 7 and that it was an abuse of discretion to deny Moore a cautionary instruction in the face of evidence that [the jailhouse snitch] may have received favorable treatment in exchange for his testimony.”

   2 later decisions quote this exact passage
   e.g. Franklin v. State · 941 So. 2d 735 - Rubenstein v. State

2. “As [the defendant] points out, prior to Ladner , this Court expressed doubt as to whether a jailhouse informant’s testimony “should be considered as'direct evidence which would prevent the granting of a circumstantial evidence instruction.” McNeal, 551 So.2d at 159 . While McNeal declined to answer that question, Ladner settled the matter, holding that when the type of testimony given by [the informant] in the case sub judice is present, circumstantial evidence instructions are not necessary.”

   1 later decision quote this exact passage
   e.g. 158 So. 3d 1009 - Curtis Giovanni Flowers v. State of Mississippi

3. “This Court instructs the jury that the law looks with suspicion and distrust on the testimony of an alleged informant, and requires the jury to weigh same with great care and suspicion. You should weigh the testimony from the alleged informant, and passing on what weight, if any, you should give this testimony, you should weigh it with great care and caution, and look upon it with distrust and suspicion.”

   1 later decision quote this exact passage
   e.g. Denson v. State