Case Name: PEOPLE v. FRAZIER WALKER
Court: Michigan Supreme Court
Jurisdiction: Michigan
Decision Date: 1971-08-27
Citations: 385 Mich. 596
Docket Number: No. 15; Docket No. 52,921
Parties: PEOPLE v. FRAZIER WALKER
Judges: T. M. Kavanagh, C. J., and Adams, T. G. Kavanagh, Swainson, and Williams, JJ., concurred.
Reporter: Michigan Reports
Volume: 385
Pages: 596–598

Head Matter:
PEOPLE v. FRAZIER WALKER
Opinion op the Court
1. Criminal Law — Constitutional Law — Nonjury Trial — Impartial Judge.
A judge, the same as a juror, does not pass the required constitutional test of impartiality and should be excused for cause as a trier of fact in a nonjury criminal trial where, had a jury voir dire examination disclosed that any prospective juror possessed the information that the trial judge possessed before trial, that juror would have been excused by the trial judge for cause (Const 1963, art 1, § 20; MOLA § 750.520).
Dissenting Opinion
Black and T. E. Brennan, JJ.
2. Judges — Disqualification — Pretrial Proceedings — Court Rules.
The mere fact that a trial judge participated in pre-trial proceedings on a case, including requests for adjournment, should not per se disqualify the judge from hearing the case; the prejudice of the trial judge should he tested hy a means of a motion for his disqualification as outlined in a court rule (GOB 1963, 405).
Appeal from Court of Appeals, Division 2, T. M. Burns, P. J., and Quinn and Roberts, JJ., reversing Genesee, Elza H. Papp, J.
Submitted June 10,1971.
(No. 15
June Term 1971,
Docket No. 52,921.)
Decided August 27, 1971.
24 Mich App 360 affirmed.
References for Points in Headnotes
46 Am Jur 2d, Judges § 96.
46 Am Jur 2d, Judges §§ 181, 184.
Frazier Walker was convicted of statutory rape. Defendant appealed to the Court of Appeals. Reversed. The people appeal.
Affirmed and remanded for new trial.
Frank J. Kelley, Attorney General, Robert A. Derengoski, Solicitor General, Robert F. Leonard, Prosecuting Attorney, and Donald A. Kuebler, Chief Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, for the people.
Elisha Scott, Jr., for defendant on appeal.

Opinion:
Per Curiam.
We affirm the Court of Appeals for the reasons set forth in its per curiam opinion in this cause filed June 3, 1970. 24 Mich App 360. Remanded for new trial.
T. M. Kavanagh, C. J., and Adams, T. G. Kavanagh, Swainson, and Williams, JJ., concurred.