Case Name: STATE v. JOHN M. DAVIS, JR.
Court: Supreme Court of North Carolina
Jurisdiction: North Carolina
Decision Date: 1959-10-21
Citations: 251 N.C. 93
Docket Number: 
Parties: STATE v. JOHN M. DAVIS, JR.
Judges: Higgins, J., not sitting.
Reporter: North Carolina Reports
Volume: 251
Pages: 93–94

Head Matter:
STATE v. JOHN M. DAVIS, JR.
(Filed 21 October, 1959.)
1. Criminal Daw § 94—
Questions asked a witness by tbe court held merely of a clarifying nature and not to constitute an expression of opinion by the court on the weight or credibility of the testimony. G.S. 1-180.
Higgins, J., not sitting.
Appeal by defendant from Morris, J., June Term, 1959, of Wayne.
Defendant was tried and convicted in the Recorder’s Court of Wayne County upon a warrant charging that he operated a motor vehicle upon the public highways within that county on 18 May, 1958, while under the influence of intoxicating liquor. He appealed to Superior Court and upon a plea of not guilty therein was tried upon said warrant de novo. A jury was duly selected and empanelled. Evidence was offered both by the State and defendant. The jury returned a verdict of guilty.
From judgment imposing a prison sentence defendant appealed and •assigned error.
Attorney General Seawell and Assistant Attorney General Love for the State.
Edmundson and Edmundson for defendant, appellant.

Opinion:
PER Ctjeiam.
The sole assignment of error relates to the interrogation of a defense witness by the court. Defendant contends that it amounted to an "expression of . opinion on the weight and credibility of the testimony" of the witness. G.S. 1-180. A careful consideration of the challenged questions and the responses thereto leads to the definite conclusion that questions asked by the court were merely of a clarifying nature. State v. Stevens, 244 N.C. 40, 44, 92 S.E. 2d 409. To be entitled to a new trial defendant must show prejudice. State v. Creech, 229 N.C. 662, 672, 51 S.E. 2d 348. No prejudicial error has been shown.
No error.
Higgins, J., not sitting.