Court Opinion

ID: 9539737
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-07 16:09:22.109738+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:59:17.468451
License: Public Domain

Deen, Presiding Judge,
concurring specially.
While concurring fully in this case, certain observations should be made. In reviewing this case, my first impression was that the trial judge successfully and substantially cured any error pertaining to expressions made in the presence of the jury relating to whether incriminating statements were or were not voluntarily made. It was thought initially that any error therefore would be harmless, or that it would be highly probable the error did not contribute to the verdict in view of overwhelming evidence presented. Yet, as to an expression of opinion by the court as to what had or had not been proved, the law appears to require reversal.
“It makes no difference that the judge instructed the jury that what passed between himself and the witness . . . was not to be considered by them. They heard his words, and no man could dare say they were not thereby influenced to some extent, at least.” Alexander v. State, 114 Ga. 266, 268 (40 SE 231) (1901). (Emphasis supplied.)
“You may draw the nail from the plank, but the hole in the plank still remains. Jurors, like other human beings, are unconsciously too much affected by strong mental impressions for these impressions to be nicely segregated from the mass of evidence by a mere direction that these impressions are to be obliterated, though they be told, even *47by the judge, that the object which created those impressions has been removed and is now out of their sight.” Campbell v. State, 155 Ga. 127, 132 (116 SE 807) (1923).
Decided November 24, 1986.
Walter B. Harvey, for appellant.
Timothy G. Madison, District Attorney, T. David Motes, Assistant District Attorney, for appellee.
As to intimation of opinion by the judge, it is said: “The province of the jury as the exclusive arbiters of facts is holy ground, not to be approached by the judge even with bare feet and uncovered head. The judge should sit on the bench the calm and impartial incarnation of law, as silent as the Sphinx on contested questions of fact.” Taylor v. State, 2 Ga. App. 723, 729 (59 SE 12) (1907).