Opinion ID: 741894
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Trial Court Bias

Text: 36 Nash argues that the district court's participation and comments at trial evidenced a bias that projected to the jury an appearance of partiality. A federal judge has broad discretion in supervising trials, and his or her behavior during trial justifies reversal only if it abuses that discretion. A trial judge is more than an umpire, and may participate in the examination of witnesses to clarify evidence, confine counsel to evidentiary rulings, ensure the orderly presentation of evidence, and prevent undue repetition. United States v. Laurins, 857 F.2d 529, 537 (9th Cir.1988) (citations omitted). Nash's assertions are unsupported by the record. The trial judge's conduct fell completely within the discretion accorded him to supervise the trials in his court.