In rape and indecent assault cases where the accused's state of mind is the critical issue, the trial judge must relate directions on law to the specific evidence bearing on that issue, including summarising the contents of the accused's record of interview rather than merely telling the jury they may watch the videotape. A direction that reasonableness of belief is 'one of many guides' to the accused's state of mind is insufficient; the jury must be told that an unreasonable belief genuinely held entitles the accused to acquittal. Where a prosecutor raises consciousness of guilt reasoning from lies and then seeks to withdraw it, an agreed formula between counsel is insufficient to cure the prejudice; at minimum a Zoneff direction is required.
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