Crandell v. United States
United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
703 F.2d 74 (4th Cir. 1983)
During a bench trial in a medical malpractice suit against the government, the trial judge repeatedly interjected during the Crandells' (plaintiffs) direct examination of their medical expert, openly and mockingly questioning the expert's credibility, and also interfered with the Crandells' cross-examination of the government's expert, Dr. Lehman, by preventing Lehman from answering certain questions. The district court ruled for the government based largely on Lehman's testimony, and the Crandells appealed, arguing the judge's conduct denied them a fair trial.
Whether a trial judge may question witnesses if his questioning indicates his beliefs about the witness's credibility or the merits of the case.