State v. Hill

HEDRICK, Chief Judge.

Defendants first contend that the trial court committed reversible error by “allowing the issue of race to dominate the defendants’ trial” and by questioning various witnesses in a manner which defendants argue violated their right to a fair trial. Both defendants are black males and the victim, Jay Priddyman, was a white male. Throughout the trial, the prosecutor repeatedly referred to Priddyman as “the white man” and the trial judge also referenced the victim by color on two occasions. It is important to note that defendant Ricky Hill’s attorney also referred to Mr.…