State v. McEachern

BRANCH, Justice.

Defendant contends that the trial judge violated the provisions of G.S. 1-180 by expressing an opinion as to his guilt.

During the prosecuting witness’s direct testimony the trial judge asked the following question: “Court: Let me ask you a question of clarification before you go any further, you were in the car when you were raped? A. Yes, sir.”

This question was posed after Mrs. Sanderson had testified she had been rendered unconscious by defendant’s blow, and after she stated she “saw this black man’s body and my bloody pants going out the window.”

On occasion, it is the duty…