When an alibi defence is raised, the trial judge must direct the jury that there is no onus on the accused to prove the alibi, that if the alibi is reasonably possibly true the jury must acquit, and that rejection of the alibi does not necessarily lead to guilt — the prosecution must still prove its case beyond reasonable doubt. Judicial interventions during the examination of witnesses, particularly defence witnesses, must not indicate the judge's view of the credibility of the evidence, and interruptions of counsel's closing address should only occur in exceptional circumstances and in the absence of the jury.
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