Commonwealth v. Mahar

Counsel for the defendant had been addressing the jury in closing argument for approximately fifty-five minutes when the judge informed him that he had "exhausted” his time for argument and should "sum it up.” Counsel took an exception, argued further for approximately four minutes and concluded his summation. The defendant’s principal contention on appeal is that the judge’s action constituted "reversible error.” We conclude that in the circumstances there was no error. Cf. United States v. Stevenson, 554 F.2d 123, 126 (4th Cir. 1977). A trial judge has *876broad discretion in limiting the time…