Opinion ID: 1860641
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: whether the trial court judge showed bias toward duncan by questioning dr. chouteau's expert

Text: ¶ 24. Duncan contends that because the trial judge questioned Dr. Chouteau's expert, Dr. Frederick Carlton, at the closing of her cross-examination, the jury inferred that the court agreed with Dr. Chouteau's position. All parties agree that Smith had an injured aorta. The judge asked Dr. Carlton questions regarding aortagrams, the procedure for repairing the aorta, pertaining to the amount of time it took to prepare and perform said procedure and whether an aortagram could have been performed at RMC. The trial judge concluded by asking all parties if they had any questions based on the questions he asked, and all parties declined. After a recess, the judge came back and explained to the jury, on the record, that he asked questions of Dr. Carlton to gain an understanding of how long it took to do an aortagram since there was testimony that RMC could not perform the procedure. ¶ 25. This issue was not properly preserved for appeal. Pursuant to Mississippi Rule of Evidence 614(c), objections to the court questioning a witness can be made at the time of the questioning or at the next available opportunity when the jury is not present. M.R.E. 614(c). Duncan did not make any objection or ask any questions of Dr. Carlton after the judge concluded his questioning. Therefore, this issue is not properly before us. See Smith v. State, 724 So.2d 280, 322 (Miss.1998). Further, the trial judge has the right to call and question witnesses. This assignment of error is without merit.