Mele v. Becker

In this cause, plaintiff appeals a jury verdict of no cause of action. He claims that he was prejudiced by certain remarks of a presiding judge to a jury panel as part of a general indoctrination on the court system and on the role of the jurors.

The February term jury panel reported to the presiding judge for an indoctrination lecture prior to reporting to any courtroom for jury duty. During the course of the lecture, the judge stated that in civil cases, the good cases are settled and the difficult ones go to trial.

The same day the plaintiff’s case was heard by a jury but before a different…