Opinion ID: 1375948
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Trial Judge's Conduct

Text: Defendant alleges that he was deprived of a fair trial by a cumulation of incidents, no one of which constitutes reversible error but which, in the aggregate, establish that the trial judge did not preside in an impartial manner. Defendant claims that he was thereby denied his due process right to a fair trial. He bases his argument on ten specific instances of alleged misconduct. We first consider each incident separately but note preliminarily that [n]ecessarily included in [the right to a fair trial] is the right to have the trial presided over by a judge who is completely impartial and free of bias or prejudice. State v. Neil, 102 Ariz. 110, 112, 425 P.2d 842, 844 (1967). Bias and prejudice mean a hostile feeling or spirit of ill will, or undue friendship or favoritism, toward one of the litigants. In re Guardianship of Styer, 24 Ariz. App. 148, 151, 536 P.2d 717, 720 (1975). Defendant first complains that the judge coached the prosecutor, telling him who would be a good witness for the state when the prosecution and the defense argued over whether Officer Bernie Lawrence could testify. Officer Lawrence had worked with Detective Lent in the past and was offered as an expert in tracking. Officer Lawrence had not been named as a witness, but the state wanted to call him to rebut Defendant's charges that Detective Lent had a reputation for untruthfulness and that plaster casts of the shoeprints should have been made. When the defense argued that the state had many disclosed witnesses that could be called back for those purposes, the judge said, Well, I think Bernie Lawrence is the one that would be knowing more about the tracking and the casting.... R.T., Dec. 21, 1989, at 83. The statement was made to explain why the judge was allowing the prosecution to call Officer Lawrence as a witness on the plaster cast issue. The judge then gave the defense time to interview Officer Lawrence before he took the stand. Given these facts, we do not believe the statement showed the judge was biased or was trying to coach or improperly assist the prosecutor. The next incident occurred when the prosecution and the defense were arguing over whether the Willits instruction should be given in light of the defense's claim that the prosecution failed to preserve evidence. The judge decided to give the Willits instruction over the prosecution's objection but went on to say that I don't think this is going to make one bit of difference to the jury. Id. at 128. While this last comment may have been unnecessary, we do not believe it demonstrates that the judge was hostile toward the defense or favored the prosecution. Having overruled the objection to the instruction, the judge merely sought to lower the temperature by soothing an agitated prosecutor. Diplomacy is a weapon well within a trial judge's arsenal. The next incident occurred when the judge admonished the defense expert, Dr. Sperry, for failing to answer the prosecutor's question. The trial judge has a duty to see that the trial is conducted in an orderly manner, and this may require an occasional admonishment to a reluctant witness. Gaston v. Hunter, 121 Ariz. 33, 59, 588 P.2d 326, 352 (Ct.App. 1978). On direct examination, Dr. Sperry testified that he was a scientist, not an advocate, and that the victim was most probably incapacitated by a gunshot prior to being burned. On cross-examination, the prosecution asked whether Dr. Sperry found any evidence of gunshot residue in the victim's tissues. Dr. Sperry's answer was not responsive, even after the judge requested a direct answer. At that point, the judge said, The answer is stricken; the jury is instructed to disregard it. I believe you can answer the question yes or no, Doctor. I think you're supposed to be a witness, not an advocate. R.T., Dec. 20, 1989, at 140. Again, while the last comment may have shown the judge's irritation, put in context it does not rise to the level of bias or prejudice. Even the best trial judge can run short on patience and turn from diplomacy to exasperation. While patience is a virtue, trial judges are human, and we recognize the difference between irritation and favoritism. Defendant next complains about the judge's statement that he believed the prosecutor was making an objection on the relevancy of the defense video, which showed a plaster cast of a shoeprint being made at the scene, because of the differences in conditions between summer, when the murder occurred, and winter, when the video was taken. Defendant claims the judge was coaching the prosecutor by giving him the proper grounds for objection. However, prior to the judge's comment, the prosecutor objected to the relevancy as to the time and place [of the defense video] and the time and place that [the victim's death] took place. R.T., Dec. 21, 1989, at 7. Thus, the prosecutor already had the correct objection. Our reading of the record indicates that the judge's comment was merely a restatement of the prosecutor's objection. Once the judge was sure he understood the prosecutor's objection, he promptly overruled it. We see no bias against Defendant in this. Defendant also complains that the judge failed to make a ruling on his motion to strike the presentence report. A motion that is not ruled on is deemed denied by operation of law. KcElwain v. Schuckert, 13 Ariz. App. 468, 470, 477 P.2d 754, 756 (1970) (citing Atchison, T. & S.F. Ry. v. Parr, 96 Ariz. 13, 391 P.2d 575 (1964)). Although the judge neglected to rule on the presentence report, Defendant does not explain, and we fail to see, how such failure demonstrates bias or prejudice.