The People of the State of Colorado v. Levi Derek Hall

Summary

The court held that a trial judge presiding over a bench trial does not violate the defendant’s right to a fair trial by requesting additional argument from both parties about properly admitted evidence before announcing a verdict. The judge remained within the broad discretion to evaluate evidence independently and did not become an advocate or deny defense counsel a meaningful opportunity to respond. The court reversed the court of appeals’ judgment and remanded for consideration of Hall’s proportionality-review claim.