As soon as the jury shall be sworn, the coroner shall give them a charge, upon their oaths, to declare of the death of the person, whether he died by felony or accident; and if of felony, who were the principals and who were accessories, and all the material circumstances relating thereto; and if by accident, whether by the act of man, and the manner thereof, and who was present, and who was the finder of the body, and whether he was killed in the same place where the body was found, and, if elsewhere, by whom, and how the body was brought there, and all other circumstances relating to the death; and if he died of his own act, then the manner and means thereof, and the circumstances relating thereto.

(RSMo 1939 § 13236)

Prior revisions: 1929 § 11617; 1919 § 5925; 1909 § 2930