State v. Redfern

HEDRICK, Chief Judge.

Through numerous assignments of error, defendant contends the trial court erred by failing to remain fair and impartial throughout his trial. He complains that the trial court expressed an opinion as to the strength of the State’s case and defendant’s guilt by making too many remarks and posing too many questions to witnesses at trial. We disagree.

G.S. 15A-1222 prohibits a trial court from expressing “any opinion in the presence of the jury on any question of fact to be decided by the jury.” The trial judge may, however, properly question a witness in order to clarify and…