State v. Plunkett

The opinion of the court was delivered by

Six, J.:

This case concerns judicial misconduct during trial. Defendant Bennie L. Plunkett, Jr., was found guilty of rape, K.S.A. 21-3502, and aggravated criminal sodomy, K.S.A. 21-3506(c). His jury trial involved two consolidated cases, similar in nature, but each arising from a separate incident and separate victim. Plunkett contends he was denied a fair trial because of judicial misconduct. He also asserts various trial errors.

Our jurisdiction is under K.S.A. 1994 Supp. 22-3601(b)(l) (a maximum sentence of life imprisonment was imposed).

Our inquiry…