State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company v. Michael D. Gold and Gina Gold

The pertinent issue before the Court is whether various statements made by the trial court judge and one of the parties below were improper and require a new trial. 1 For the reaso'ns given below, 'we answer in the affirmative and reverse the trial court’s denial -of Appellant State Farm’s motion for new trial.

Background

Appellee Michael Gold was in a car accident while covered by an uninsured motorist policy issued by Appellant State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company, under which he sued for damages. The ease proceeded to trial.

Before closing arguments, the trial court instructed the…