People v. Wilder

The trial judge, sitting as trier of the facts without a jury, found defendant guilty of felonious assault as charged. The judge wrote a lengthy opinion giving his findings of fact and stating the reasons therefor.

During the trial defendant was represented by counsel and the people by an assistant prosecuting attorney. The judge asked a great many questions of the witnesses on both sides, totalling in number more than those asked by counsel.

Defendant appealed to the Court of Appeals which reversed the conviction and remanded for a new trial. In so doing the Court of Appeals, in its opinion,…