Opinion ID: 2014973
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Improper Questioning by Trial Judge

Text: Defendant charges that the trial judge acted improperly in asking him certain questions about the incident on January 2, 1991. Defendant assigns error to the following colloquy at the end of defense counsel's redirect examination: THE COURT: For my own clarification, Mr. Williams, did you have the gun in your pocket or in your hand when he swung at you with the knife? DEFENSE COUNSEL: Objection, Your Honor. There is no testimony about him having a knife when he had the gun. THE COURT: I'm talking about Cole with the knife. DEFENSE COUNSEL: That was the day before. That was a different incident. THE COURT: That's what I'm talking about. I just want to know. DEFENSE COUNSEL: I object to the Court asking any questions that's confusing to me. THE COURT: Sir, you stated that you had a gun in your pocket? DEFENDANT: Yes, sir. THE COURT: You also stated that Anthony Cole had a knife in his hand? DEFENDANT: That wasn't on the same day, sir. THE COURT: You didn't have the gun in your pocket on that date? DEFENDANT: No, sir. Defendant argues that the foregoing questions denied him a fair trial because they impugned his credibility. Defendant points out that there was no evidence that a gun had been involved in the January 2, 1991, incident. By asking defendant where he carried the gun, defendant contends, the trial judge implied that defendant's testimony was not truthful. In addition, defendant claims that the trial judge's questions also implied that the judge believed defendant to be a very dangerous individual who was habitually armed with a handgun. Defendant insists that he was prejudiced by these questions and that he is therefore entitled to a new trial. It is well established that a trial judge has the right to question witnesses in order to elicit the truth or to clarify issues which seem obscure. People v. Nevitt, 135 Ill.2d 423, 456, 142 Ill.Dec. 854, 553 N.E.2d 368 (1990); People v. Hooper, 133 Ill.2d 469, 495, 142 Ill.Dec. 93, 552 N.E.2d 684 (1989); People v. Hopkins, 29 Ill.2d 260, 265-66, 194 N.E.2d 213 (1963); People v. Palmer, 27 Ill.2d 311, 314, 189 N.E.2d 265 (1963). The trial judge's examination must be conducted in a fair and impartial manner, without indicating bias or prejudice against either party. People v. Marino, 414 Ill. 445, 450, 111 N.E.2d 534 (1953); People v. Santucci, 24 Ill.2d 93, 98, 180 N.E.2d 491 (1962). Whether the trial judge's questioning is proper depends on the circumstances of each case and rests largely within the discretion of the trial court. Nevitt, 135 Ill.2d at 456, 142 Ill.Dec. 854, 553 N.E.2d 368; Palmer, 27 Ill.2d at 315, 189 N.E.2d 265. The trial judge's questions in the present case did not violate these principles. It is apparent from the record that the trial judge was attempting to clarify what he considered to be confusing testimony. On direct examination, defendant testified that on January 2, 1991, Anthony pulled a knife out of his pocket and pointed it at defendant. Defendant then slapped the knife away, and it struck Michelle. Defendant also stated that as he slapped the knife away, he was cut on the palm of his right hand. Defendant subsequently testified about the shooting incident at Michelle's house on January 3, 1991. Defendant stated that he had the gun in his pocket when he arrived at Michelle's house. According to defendant, Anthony put his hand in his jacket and defendant put his hand in his pocket. Defendant became paranoid that Anthony would pull out a gun so defendant pointed his gun at Anthony. Anthony then hit the gun and it went off and struck Michelle. On redirect examination, defendant demonstrated how Anthony swung at him when defendant had the gun. Defense counsel then asked, And when he swung in that manner ... is that when he struck your hand? and defendant replied, Yes, sir. The trial judge apparently perceived the foregoing testimony to be confusing in light of defendant's earlier testimony that he had been struck on the hand the previous day when Anthony pulled a knife. The trial judge asked questions to clarify whether defendant had a gun in his hand on January 2, 1991. The judge's questions about the gun did not indicate a bias, prejudice or hostility against defendant. Neither did the judge imply that he found defendant to be not credible. Rather, the judge merely sought to clarify defendant's version of the incident. Under these circumstances, we conclude that the trial judge did not abuse his discretion by questioning defendant about the gun. C.