Criminal jurisprudence–Cross-cases arising out of the same occurrence–Investigation and trial–Governing principles–
(1) Both versions must be investigated simultaneously and independently so that neither investigation influences or contaminates the other,
(2) The reports of investigation, whenever practicable, should be placed before the competent Court at or around the same time, so that the Court is apprised of the entire factual panorama,
(3) The trials should ordinarily be conducted by the same Court to ensure uniformity in the appreciation of evidence,
(4) The recording of evidence should take place in close proximity of time so that the judicial mind retains continuity and coherence in assessing the testimonies,
(5) Judgments, though delivered through separate and distinct decisions in each case, should ideally be pronounced on the same day to obviate the possibility of conflicting conclusions.
