Opinion ID: 269176
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: the trial court's remarks to brashears.

Text: 38 Appellant contends that the trial judge committed prejudicial error by his remarks to Brashears, the manager of Best, called by the Government as a witness. Brashears had known appellant and Thompson, the co-defendant, for over ten years. Thompson had given Brashears a job at Federal, and later, in April 1960, appellant had hired him as manager of Best. Before Brashears was called to testify, Bernes, the owner of Federal, had testified and disclaimed certain knowledge about relations between Federal and Best, grain shipments, and the speculations by appellant. Brashears, however, testified about a meeting in Atlanta on January 14, 1961, when the managers of all the Federal elevators met with Bernes for the purpose of discussing their future jobs and the financial trouble that Federal was experiencing in southeast Missouri. Brashears was present and on cross-examination by appellant's counsel testified that Bernes acknowledged having an interest in a little elevator at McMullin, which was Best's location. 39 Earlier, the Government referring to a check signed by Thompson for Best, asked Brashears on direct examination whether he remembered anything about the check being drawn, and Brashears said that he did not. Then came the following: 40 Q. Do you remember who was present when that check was drawn? 41