Opinion ID: 1653352
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: remarks by trial judge

Text: Some errors alleged by counsel involve sarcastic or disparaging remarks by the trial judge. The Court of Appeals noted that many of the instances of misconduct were meritless, while others were noted to be sarcastic remarks including the use of a blackboard and the reading of depositions. It is axiomatic that the judge should refrain from making comments that tend to create prejudice to the litigants, the witnesses or the subject matter of the litigation. Commonwealth v. Eubank, Ky., 369 S.W.2d 15 (1963). A trial judge should remember that undue importance and great weight may be attached by the members of the jury to any remark made by him in their presence. Rose v. Vasseur, Ky., 358 S.W.2d 540 (1962). A remark, if improper, is not grounds for reversal if it does not reach the ears of the jurors. Eubank, supra . Mere casual remarks which do not tend to excite prejudice more to one party or the other in the presence of the jury may not be held improper. Eubank, supra . Thus, the propriety of these remarks must be judged and evaluated on the basis of the particular circumstances of each case. Of the allegation of sarcastic or disparaging remarks, we do not note or view such statements to be either disparaging or sarcastic and prejudicing the parties involved. This Court finds that sarcasm is generally exhibited by contempt or disgust or remarks spoken bitterly or tauntingly or in a manner of rebuke delivered in a tone of contempt. This was not the portrayal so argued by appellee and, again, the majority of these discussions, other than the humorous comments about the blackboard, were outside the hearing of the jury. Such comments simply do not constitute reversible error.