State v. Hawkins

*226Appellant, Tim Hawkins (Hawkins) was convicted of indecent exposure and sentenced to ten years, suspended upon service of one year and five years probation. We reverse.

It is clear from the record that improper and prejudicial comments of the trial judge mandate a new trial.

The improprieties here so closely parallel those condemned by this Court in State v. Campbell, 297 S. C. 24, 374 S. E. (2d) 668 (1988), that no recitation is required. See also our recent opinion in State v. Ates, 297 S. C. 316, 377 S. E. (2d) 98 (1989).

Again, we caution trial courts that the sitting judge must conduct all…