Georgia's top court is considering whether to reinstate armed robbery, kidnapping and fraud convictions that were overturned because the judge asked a trial witness where the alleged crime took place.
The Georgia Supreme Court on Monday will hear the case involving George Anderson, whose attorney contended that Muscogee County Superior Court Judge Doug Pullen erred in asking a witness where Anderson used a credit card to buy sneakers.
The witness said the shoes were bought in Columbus, proving "venue," an essential element in the prosecution's case.
But Anderson contended that this violated state law restricting judges from expressing an opinion about what has or hasn't been proved.
