Case ID: so2d_362/html/1384-02.html
Source: Caselaw Access Project
Author: {"author": "PER CURIAM. TATE, J., DIXON, J.,", "license": "Public Domain", "url": "https://static.case.law/"}
Date Created: 2024-08-24T03:29:51.129683

STATE of Louisiana v. Ronald BOUZIGARD. CONSOLIDATED WITH STATE of Louisiana v. Mona GUIDRY.
    Nos. 61871, 61872, 61879 and 61880.
    Supreme Court of Louisiana.
    Sept. 14, 1978.
    Rehearing Denied Oct. 19, 1978.
    
      Herbert O’Neill, Chief Indigent Defender, 17th Jud. Dist., Thibodaux, for defendant-appellant.
    William J. Guste, Jr., Atty. Gen., Barbara Rutledge, Asst. Atty. Gen., Francis Dugas, Dist. Atty., Sidney A. Ordoyne, Jr., Asst. Dist. Atty., for plaintiff-appellee.
   PER CURIAM.

Affirmed.

SUMMERS, J., believes the questioning by the judge was excessive but does not believe the error warrants reversal.

TATE, J.,

dissents.

The trial court’s extensive interrogation of the accused amounted to a comment upon the evidence and an expression of disbelief in the accused’s credibility in his trial defense. This could not be harmless error, destroying as it did the accused’s principal defense.

DIXON, J.,

concurs.

The trial judge is not prohibited from interrogating witnesses.

TATE and CALOGERO, JJ., would grant a rehearing.