Opinion ID: 291540
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: the court's comments on the facts.

Text: 45 During the course of giving final instructions to the jury, the district court made certain comments which appellants construe as invading the province of the jury as the sole arbiter of the facts. This issue is presented for the first time on this appeal, as the record discloses no objection by appellants at the time the remarks were made. Appellants view the remarks in isolation, but when viewed in their proper context with the instructions given, we find no impropriety in such comments. In any event, the district court repeatedly informed the members of the jury that they were the sole and exclusive judges of the facts, and further stated to the jury: 46 'You notice that I commented on the evidence from time to time. I have a right to under the laws of the United States. Such comments, if I have made any, are only expressions of my opinion as to the facts, and you may disregard them entirely, because you are the judges of the facts. 47 During the course of the trial, I occasionally questioned some of the witnesses in order to bring out facts which I didn't think were fully covered. Don't assume that I hold any opinion on the matters to which my questions may have been related. Remember, you, at all times, as jurors, are at liberty to disregard any comments that I make, or any inferences that you might draw from the way in which I say them, in arriving at your own findings as to the facts. You are the judges of the facts, not I.' 48 Appellants' contention is without merit. 49 The judgments of conviction are affirmed.