Sturkey v. State

Summary

The court affirmed Sturkey's convictions, rejecting his claims that the trial judge improperly expressed an opinion through questioning and that the court made an erroneous ruling concerning potential polygraph evidence. The court held that the judicial-questioning claim failed because the questions addressed methodology and did not express an opinion, while the polygraph claim was not preserved and would fail on the merits because the evidence could have been admitted to explain investigative conduct. The court also held that one ineffective-assistance claim was waived and that the other failed for lack of demonstrated prejudice.