State v. Bond

BRITT, Judge.

By his assignment of error number 4, defendant contends the trial judge expressed an opinion to the jury in violation of G.S. 1-180 by extensively questioning defendant and his witnesses. The assignment is sustained.

The record reveals that in the initial presentation of its case, the State introduced three witnesses. On the initial presentation, the trial judge did not ask two of the witnesses any questions and asked the third witness two questions. Defendant then presented nine witnesses in addition to himself, the first of his witnesses being Columbus (Lump) Williams. After the…