California, United States of America
The following excerpt is from People v. McCarthy, A138682 (Cal. App. 2015):
Appellant also argues the court's clarifying questions during his testimony demonstrated bias. Appellant identifies two instances where the court asked specific questions clarifying the time frame in which an incident occurred, one instance where the court clarified who appellant meant when he used the term "her bedroom," and one instance where the court responded to an objection by the prosecutor that defense counsel had not posed a proper question. Appellant asserts these questions were designed to interrupt defense counsel's questioning and demonstrated the court's bias. We disagree. The record demonstrates the court asked clarifying questions about specific dates, ages, names, and time frames of other witnesses at trial including Doe, mother, and one of the investigating officers. As we have stated, a judge may ask questions to clarify witness testimony and to assure the evidence is fully developed. (People v. Raviart, supra, 93
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