This is true, but circumstantial evidence is seldom enough to have the DA bring a case to trial because it is weak evidence.

At least, thats my impression im not a lawyer.

My understanding is that the opposite is closer to the truth: most cases are made on circumstantial evidence. Jury instructions apparently tell jurors not to weight it any differently than direct evidence.

What does that mean? That they makeup spurious causal chains and believe that is reality?

Just search [missouri model jury instructions circumstantial evidence]. Jury instructions are written in plain English.

This is indeed true. Most cases are made on circumstantial evidence.

Actually the instructions tell the jury that how much weight to give to any evidence is up to them.

Multiple witnesses seeing a suspect run out of a store holding a smoking gun shortly after the store clerk was shot is both circumstantial evidence and plenty for a DA to bring to trial.

I don't think? this is even a real debate. One can want it to be otherwise, but criminal law does not disfavor circumstantial evidence.