Opinion ID: 2369694
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Disqualification and Recusal

Text: In the Court of Appeals, Blount argued that the trial judge was disqualified from presiding by Rule 42(b), Tenn. R.Crim. P., and should have recused himself because the contempt charges involved disrespect to or criticism of a judge. Because of its disposition of the case, the Court of Appeals did not address that issue. Though it is not pressed in this Court, it is a threshold matter which must be resolved since we have reversed the intermediate court's finding of insufficient evidence. The contempt charged in this case does not, on its face, involve disrespect or criticism of the trial judge. In Taylor v. Hayes, 418 U.S. 488, 501, 94 S.Ct. 2697, 2704, 41 L.Ed.2d 897 (1974), however, the United States Supreme Court recognized that conduct short of a personal attack may still provoke a trial judge and so embroil him or her in controversy that it would be difficult to maintain the calm detachment necessary for fair adjudication. State v. Green, 708 S.W.2d 424, 426-27 (Tenn. Crim. App. 1986). In determining whether contempt charges should have been heard by a judge other than the one who initiated the proceeding, the appropriate question is not only whether there was actual bias on the judge's part, but also whether there was such a likelihood of bias, or an appearance of bias, that the judge was unable to hold the balance between vindicating the interest of the court and the interest of the accused. Taylor, 418 U.S. at 501, 94 S.Ct. at 2704; Green, 708 S.W.2d at 427. Utilizing that inquiry, it is clear that in this case the trial judge was not disqualified under Rule 42(b), Tenn. R.Crim. P. The trial judge directed a verdict in favor of Blount's clients on the issue of liability. Moreover, Blount's angry comments and conduct were entirely directed toward the jury and opposing counsel, not the trial judge. This record is devoid of evidence of actual or potential bias. The trial judge did not err by denying Blount's recusal motion.