Opinion ID: 1653352
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: trial court interruptions

Text: As a principle, it is fundamental that a judge may not act in the dual capacity of judge and advocate. Rankin v. Blue Grass Boys Ranch, Inc., Ky., 469 S.W.2d 767 (1971); Chism v. Lampach, Ky., 352 S.W.2d 191 (1961); Evans v. Humphrey, 281 Ky. 254, 135 S.W.2d 915 (1940). It is emphasized that a judge need not be a automaton or robot or mere umpire. Chism , Evans, supra . Judges are sworn to administer justice and to that end should see that their decrees are carried out. Evans, supra, 281 Ky. p. 260, 135 S.W.2d 915. A judge should and does have the right and duty, within reasonable limits, to bring out the facts in the case before him clearly, so that important functions of his office may be fairly and justly performed. Evans, supra . While the judge should leave to the lawyers the development of the case and be cautious and circumspect in his participation and conduct, controlling the proceeding in a manner that will give it the atmosphere of impartiality, Chism, supra, p. 194, we hold that the trial judge, exercising considered restraint, is not required to remain in a sterile vacuum. He simply does not sit upon a bench as a silent and passive spectator of what is going on, but sits to administer the law and guide the proceedings before him. He is vested with a large discretion in the conduct of the trial of causes and an appellate court will not interpose to control the exercise of such discretion by a court of original jurisdiction, unless there has been an abuse or a most unwise exercise thereof. The body language displayed by the trial court, the demeanor, plain physical attitude and tone of voice do not approach or support the vituperative character which appellee attributes to the 31 incidents which occurred over a three day period. The appellee observed that the acts did not become apparent or belatedly manifest themselves until after trial and upon video review. These assertions, when viewed in context of the entire three day trial, are not sufficient to warrant a finding that the trial judge was guilty of prejudicial misconduct.