What is the duty of a court to instruct a jury on general principles of law in a criminal case?

In criminal cases, "'"even in the absence of a request, the trial court must instruct on the general principles of law relevant to the issues raised by the evidence. [Citations.] The general principles of law governing the case are those principles closely and openly connected with the facts before the court, and which are necessary for the jury's understanding of the case."'" (People v. Breverman (1998) 19 Cal.4th 142, 154 (Breverman).)

"'The duty to instruct, sua sponte, on general principles closely and openly connected with the facts before the court also encompasses an obligation to instruct on defenses . . .'" (People v. Lopez (1992) 11 Cal.App.4th 1115, 1120) that are "supported by substantial evidence [and] that are not inconsistent with the defendant's theory of the case" (People v. Montoya (1994) 7 Cal.4th 1027, 1047). Substantial evidence, in this

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