Opinion ID: 2616918
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Court's Remarks

Text: Defendant charges that the court during the course of the proceedings made numerous remarks which denied him a fair trial. We have reviewed the record carefully and find nothing which can be said to have interfered in any way with the proper administration of justice. Instead, all statements made by the court seem to reflect a complete lack of bias or prejudice and a sincere attempt to have the jury resolve the cause without undue interference. Defendant himself concedes that some of the remarks by the judge were harmless but argues that when taken as a whole the substantial time given to remarks by the Court    can only cause the jury to believe that the Court has an    interest in a successful prosecution to the prejudice of the Defendant. Notwithstanding our view that there was no impropriety in this regard it must be admitted that the trial court in this case at different points did not limit its remarks to the bare essentials of rulings but instead made gratuitous comments which, as experience shows, often opens the door to complaints and criticism both justified and unjustified. Even so, the mere fact that the court may have been unwise in commenting overgenerously cannot be taken as error.