Opinion ID: 282140
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: The Trial Court's Admonitions to Appellant's Counsel

Text: 20 Appellant claims that he was denied a fair trial because of the trial judge's hostility towards defense counsel. This contention is also without merit. An examination of appellant's 'Index of Statements Displaying Hostility' reveals that almost all of the allegedly antagonistic statements were made while the jury was not present. A judicial reprimand, even if unwarranted, is no basis for reversal if it is made outside the hearing of the jury. Paddock v. United States, 320 F.2d 624 (9 Cir. 1963); Harris v. United States, 367 F.2d 633 (1 Cir. 1966). The statements made in the presence of the jury were no more than routine warnings and rulings. A full reading of the record reveals no indication that the trial court dampened the ardor of defense counsel so as to deprive appellant of the effective assistance of counsel or in any way prevented the jury from exercising an impartial judgment; rather it reveals a fair and impartial trial conducted with the utmost concern for the rights of the defendant and the convenience of counsel. Paddock v. United States, supra, 320 F.2d at 627, Johnson v. United States, 356 F.2d 680, 683-684 (8 Cir. 1966). 21 We find it unnecessary to discuss appellant's other claims of error, which we find to be without merit. The judgment is affirmed.