Opinion ID: 532146
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Improper Questioning by the Court During the Trial.

Text: 28 In his fourth assignment of error, Benefield alleges that the questioning of him by the court denied him due process and a fair trial as guaranteed by the Fifth and Sixth Amendments. Specifically, Benefield points to two instances where the court's actions are alleged to have interfered with the jury's ability to determine the credibility of the witnesses at trial and who should be believed. Appellant's Brief at 22. 29 While the court can interrogate witnesses to clarify testimony and insure that a case is tried fairly, United States v. Block, 755 F.2d 770, 775 (11th Cir.1985), the judge may not repeatedly interject himself into the proceedings when the attorneys are conducting their case in a competent manner. Id. We have examined the record and conclude that the court's brief questions cannot be classified as so numerous or egregious as to require reversal. Id. at 776. In addition, any supposed prejudice caused by the brief questioning by the court was corrected by its charge to the jury: 30 Moreover, any questions that I have asked of witnesses in this case are to be given no more significance or importance than the questions that are asked by the lawyers. 31 And if I have made any comment on the evidence in this case, I instruct you now to disregard it. Because you are the sole and exclusive finders of fact in this case. And the findings of fact is your exclusive province. I give you the law, but you decide the facts. 32 (R2:212) Thus, looking at the record as a whole, we are unable to find any intervention by the court requiring reversal.