Opinion ID: 2103388
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: remarks of the trial court judge

Text: The defendant argues that the trial court improperly restricted his closing argument on three occasions and in doing so made prejudicial remarks from which the jury could infer that the court favored a verdict for the prosecution. On each occasion, the court sustained a prosecution objection to the defendant's argument and instructed the jury to disregard the statement. In protecting the defendant's right to a fair and impartial trial by jury in a criminal case the trial court must carefully avoid any remarks that indicate a prejudice toward either side. Ultimate decisions of fact must fairly be left to the jury, as must be the determination of the credibility of witnesses and the weight to be afforded their testimony, and to this end it is not the province of the judge, in a criminal case, to convey his opinions on such matters to the jurors by word or deed. [Citations.] As pointed out on numerous occasions, jurors are ever watchful of the attitude of the judge, and any disclosure of disbelief or hostility on his part is very apt to influence them in arriving at their verdict. [Citations.] ( People v. Santucci (1962), 24 Ill.2d 93, 98.) However, we do not find any error or lack of impartiality in the trial court's rulings and remarks in this case, and we would not be justified in reversing the defendant's conviction on that ground. Cf. People v. Williams (1978), 62 Ill. App.3d 966, 973.