Opinion ID: 1897927
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: the trial judge was biased and such bias prejudiced the appellant.

Text: The basis of this assigned error is a statement made by the trial judge to appellant's attorney following a discussion between the judge and a potential juror as to whether the juror would be qualified to serve, since he had been convicted of a felony. An individual seeing and hearing the conversation reported same to the appellant's attorney, who inquired of the judge concerning the incident. The judge referred to the person reporting the matter to appellant's attorney as Your little pimp. The attorney made a motion for mistrial because of the incident, and, on this appeal, he contends that, as a result of the trial judge's attitude, he did not receive a fair trial. An occasional display of irritation, usually regretted as soon as made, does not suffice to show personal bias or prejudice, whether the irritation was justified or not. See Walker v. Bishop, 408 F.2d 1378, 1381 (8th Cir.1969); Rosen v. Sugarman, 357 F.2d 794, 798 (2d Cir.1966). Cases cited by appellant, such as Smith v. State, 239 Ga. 477, 238 S.E.2d 116 (1977), and Hulme v. Woleslagel, 208 Kan. 385, 493 P.2d 541 (1972), are distinguished from the case at bar. We have carefully examined the record in this case and do not find any conduct or statement, other than that referred to hereinabove, made by the judge during the trial, which could be interpreted to show partiality, prejudice or unfairness, and we are convinced that the trial below was conducted fairly and even handedly by the trial judge as to both parties. Therefore, the Assignment I is rejected.