State v. Paiz

OPINION

WECHSLER, Judge.

{1} Defendant appeals his conviction for aggravated battery, contrary to NMSA 1978, Section 30-3-5 (1969). Defendant contends that the conduct of the metropolitan court judge, Keesha Ashanti, at trial and before the jury evidenced a manifest bias in favor of the State securing a conviction against him. We agree and conclude that Judge Ashanti’s conduct was so egregious that it constituted plain error, and thus, Defendant’s conviction must be reversed and this case remanded for a new trial before a different, impartial judge.

Facts and Procedural Background

{2} ’The trial…