A trial judge directing a jury on an indictment for wilful murder may recommend an order in which to consider alternative verdicts but must not direct that the order is mandatory. Directing a jury that they cannot consider manslaughter unless unanimously of the view the accused is not guilty of wilful murder is a misdirection. The distinction between the deliberative process and the pronouncement of verdicts is critical: while a jury must reach a unanimous decision on the more serious charge before announcing a verdict on a lesser charge, they must not be fettered in the order in which they consider the alternative offences during deliberation.
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