Opinion ID: 1302539
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Reference to Impeachment Evidence as Totally Collateral.

Text: During trial, the district court referred to evidence presented by Rhodes to impeach a defense expert as totally collateral. The district court later went on the record and admitted his comment was a mistake. Rhodes contends that the district court's comment unfairly prejudiced the jury in favor of the defense, entitling her to a new trial. There was no undue prejudice. We review a judge's comments during trial for an abuse of discretion and reverse only if they projected to the jury an appearance of advocacy or partiality. United States v. Parker, 241 F.3d 1114, 1119 (9th Cir.2001). A trial court has substantial leeway in overseeing the presentation of evidence, because it is most familiar with the dynamics of a proceeding and the dangers of jury confusion. See, e.g., S.M. v. J.K., 262 F.3d 914, 919 (9th Cir.2001). The district court's reference to certain Plaintiffs testimony as totally collateral when sustaining Defendants' objection, although an admitted mistake, did not project an appearance of advocacy or partiality that warrants reversal in this case.