Opinion ID: 566845
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Instructions on Exclusion

Text: 68 of Poindexter's Statement 69 Officer Hampton testified that two Sky Pager beepers were found during the execution of the search warrant and that Poindexter admitted owning one of them. Defense counsel objected to the testimony on the ground that Poindexter's statement had not been furnished to counsel during discovery. The court sustained the objection and told the jury to disregard the testimony. Poindexter's counsel then objected to the court explaining its ruling to the jury. Defense counsel believed that the court's explanation implies it's a true statement but for technical reasons we're not going to let it in. 70 A trial judge may ask questions and give comments upon the evidence, as he is not a mere moderator, but is in control of the trial to insure its proper conduct, so long as the comments and questions are fair and not designed to mislead. United States v. Wade, 364 F.2d 931, 935 (6th Cir.1966). In commenting upon the evidence, the judge does not commit error simply by making a comment that may be favorable to one side. The right of the trial judge to comment on the evidence necessarily includes the right to comment unfavorably, so long as [the] comment does not become advocacy and it is made clear to the jury that irrespective of such comment the ultimate determination of the facts is left to the jury. United States v. Hawkins, 295 F.2d 837, 840 (6th Cir.1961). As the judge's instruction accurately reflected the law and did not limit the jury's role as fact finder, the court did not err in giving its instruction. United States v. Goble, 512 F.2d 458 (6th Cir.), cert. denied, 423 U.S. 914, 96 S.Ct. 221, 46 L.Ed.2d 143 (1975).