Opinion ID: 853198
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Trial Court's Comments to Jury

Text: Wentz contends the trial court erred when it told the jury venire its understanding of the case at the onset of voir dire. In the course of addressing the prospective jurors, the trial court made the following statement: The theory of the caseat least my understanding of the theory of the case is that the State has alleged that Mr. Wentz was present at the night of the alleged homicide and participated in the abduction of the victim and the taking of the car. I do not believe the State is alleging that Mr. Wentz pulled the trigger here. But what they're saying is that he participated in it. And what that is called is Felony Murder. Okay? If someone is participating in a felony and a murder results, then the State can actually charge a murder. All right? Now, what Mr. Wentz is saying is that he was present at the scene but he didn't know any of this was going to happen. Okay? So, that's basically the framework of the case. And, as jurors, it would be your job then to determine what the participation of Mr. Wentz was in this case and your job to determine whether or not the State of Indiana has proved its theory beyond a reasonable doubt before you can vote for conviction. Wentz contends that this discourse was the equivalent of the trial judge's taking the stand as a witness, placing Wentz at the scene of the murder, and telling the venire that Wentz participated in the crime. Wentz claims the trial court's action denied him his right to confront witnesses under the Sixth Amendment to the United States Constitution [1] and Article I, Section 13 of the Indiana Constitution. [2] Wentz also argues that the trial court's statement forced him to testify and explain his presence at the murder scene, which violated the protection against self-incrimination afforded by the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution. [3] Although Wentz did not object to the trial court's statement, he contends the trial court committed fundamental error reviewable without the need to preserve the error. For the fundamental error doctrine to apply, however, we must find the alleged error so prejudiced the defendant's rights as to make a fair trial impossible. Corcoran v. State, 739 N.E.2d 649, 655 (Ind.2000). We agree with the general proposition Wentz puts forth: trial judges should refrain from commenting on what they believe the defendant will or will not argue at trial. Although a trial judge has broad discretionary power to regulate the form and substance of voir dire, he or she also has a concurrent duty to remain impartial and to refrain from making unnecessary comments or remarks. Williams v. State, 555 N.E.2d 133, 137 (Ind.1990). Trial judges should exercise care to avoid an indirect expression of their opinion to the jury. Jurors' respect for the judge can lead them to accord undue significance to their reading of the judge's intimations, whether or not any are intended. Kennedy v. State, 258 Ind. 211, 226, 280 N.E.2d 611, 620-21 (1972). The judge's anticipation of the defense strategy is also a concern because the trial strategy of a criminal defendant may change at a moment's notice. We understand the trial court's reference to what the defendant is saying as predicting trial counsel's argument, not the defendant's testimony. Nevertheless, neither the decision to testify nor the defense's contentions should be influenced or painted into a corner by the court's predictions. Although we agree with these points Wentz raises, we do not agree that the judge's comments require reversal here. At trial, Wentz argued that, although he was at the scene of the murder, Henson's actions took him by surprise. Further, although Wentz stated at his postconviction relief hearing that he felt compelled to testify, it was because of his attorney's advice that it was his only defense, not because of any action of the trial judge. Although the trial court's comments were unnecessary, they ultimately were essentially accurate, and there is no indication that they so prejudiced Wentz's rights as to make a fair trial impossible. There was no fundamental error; therefore, Wentz's claim as to this issue fails.