Patel v. State

In Patel v. State, 282 Ga. 412, 413 (2) (651 SE2d 55) (2007), the trial court commented during defense counsel's opening that venue was not a defense in the case because venue was proper in Fayette County "'or we wouldn't be here right now.'" Id. at 413 (2). The Georgia Supreme Court found that the trial court had "improperly expressed its opinion as to what had been proved on a disputed issue of fact, . . . notwithstanding the trial court's lack of intent to express an opinion on the evidentiary issue of venue." Id. at 414.