Brooks v. State, 577 So. 2d 680

LETTS, Judge.

In this case in which the defendant was found guilty of DUI manslaughter, the jury was instructed that the presence of “.10 per cent or more by weight of alcohol in the [defendant’s] blood ... shall be pri-ma facie evidence that the person was under the influence of alcoholic beverages to the extent that his normal faculties were impaired.” We reverse.

We must follow the dictates of the Florida Supreme Court which recently has unequivocally held that such an instruction is reversible error. Wilhelm v. State, 568 So.2d 1 (Fla.1990).

We reverse and remand for a new trial.

REVERSED AND REMANDED.

GUNTHER and WARNER, JJ., concur.

Case Details

Case Name: Brooks v. State

Court Name: District Court of Appeal of Florida

Date Published: Apr 3, 1991

Citations: 577 So. 2d 680; 1991 Fla. App. LEXIS 2939; 1991 WL 44995; No. 90-2279

Docket Number: No. 90-2279

Court Abbreviation: Fla. Dist. Ct. App.