What is the duty of the trial court to instruct the jury on the general principles of law governing the case?

The trial court has the sua sponte duty to instruct on the general principles of law governing the case. (People v. Breverman (1998) 19 Cal.4th 142, 154.) 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 a jury's understanding of the case. (Ibid.) The trial court, however, has no duty to give a "'pinpoint'" instruction; that is, an instruction that relates particular facts to an element of the charged crime. (People v. Mayfield (1997) 14 Cal.4th 668, 778.)