Opinion ID: 2001201
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 13

Heading: Cumulative Judicial Misconduct

Text: Ryan also contends that the cumulative effect of the May 9, 1986, meeting shows that Judge Finn did not meet the constitutional standard of impartiality. Ryan cannot raise the issues that counsel litigated on direct appeal concerning the impact of Judge Finn's turning his back during Ryan's testimony simply by rephrasing this as being cumulative judicial misconduct. See State v. Ditter, 255 Neb. 696, 587 N.W.2d 73 (1998). In Ryan I, we found that Ryan was not prejudiced by the fact that Judge Finn turned his back during Ryan's testimony. Further, Ryan was not prejudiced by the ex parte contact with Thimm family members. Even considering these two incidents together, they do not indicate an instance of actual bias on the part of Judge Finn at Ryan's sentencing hearing. See State v. Lotter, supra (supplemental opinion). Thus, considered cumulatively, the May 9 meeting did not violate Ryan's right to an impartial judge.