State v. McBryde

Defendant contends that the court gave an expression of opinion as to the credibility of defendant’s witness Allen Parker. This assignment of error is based on facts which appear in the record, as follows: As Mr. Parker was stepping down from the witness stand, having completed his testimony, the court stated to him, “Don’t leave the room, Mr. Parker.” The following also appears in the record:

“During the argument of counsel for the defendant to the jury, the Judge, while sitting upon the bench and while Court was in session, had a short conversation with the Sheriff of Hoke County, which…