Opinion ID: 701770
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: District Court's Questions

Text: 81 Tackett argues that the district court improperly questioned witnesses. At trial, the defense failed to object to the district court's questions, and therefore, the proper standard of review is plain error. United States v. Young, 470 U.S. 1, 15-16, 105 S.Ct. 1038, 1046, 84 L.Ed.2d 1 (1985); Fed.R.Crim.P. 52(b). 82 The trial judge's duty is to conduct a trial in an orderly fashion and obtain truth and justice. United States v. Slone, 833 F.2d 595, 597 (6th Cir.1987). He must see to it that the issues are not obscured and the testimony is not misunderstood. The trial court has the right to interrogate witnesses for this purpose. Id. The District Judge asked a few follow-up questions to two witnesses. The first witness was Thurmon Tackett. He asked Thurmon Tackett questions because Mr. Tackett was attempting to evade the government's questions. The District Judge posed the questions in an even-handed, non-inflammatory manner. He also asked three questions of Morgan White. This was solely to clarify that no one had answered White's phone calls to the Tackett residence on December 6. The District Judge's questions were both warranted and necessary, and do not mandate reversal.