People v. Harris

PRESIDING JUSTICE McBRIDE

delivered the opinion of the court:

Defendant Eddie Harris appeals the trial judge’s denial of his motion to vacate his guilty plea, arguing that he was denied his due process right to a fair hearing on his motion where the trial judge relied on her own recollection of events rather than the evidence before her, acted as an advocate for the State, made credibility determinations prior to the end of the testimony, prevented the defense from presenting evidence to support its claim, and relied on her own emotional reaction to the offense.

In October 2003, defendant and…