Opinion ID: 542287
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 8

Heading: Allegation of Judicial Bias

Text: 30 While a trial judge must not take on the role of advocate in questioning witnesses, the judge need not be inert, may ask questions, and may assist the jury in understanding uncertain testimony. United States v. Norris, 873 F.2d 1519, 1526 (D.C.Cir.), cert. denied, 110 S.Ct. 113 (1989). We find without merit the appellants' assertion that on numerous occasions the trial court interjected itself into the questioning of witnesses ... in a blatant attempt to assist the prosecutor in proving his case against the defendants. Both the appellants and the government offer numerous references to the trial transcript to support their respective positions. Having reviewed all of these references, we are convinced that the judge did not assume the role of advocate for the prosecution or tilt the trial toward the prosecution. We therefore conclude that appellants were not denied a fair trial and decline to remand for new proceedings.