People v. Conway

This case presents question as to whether trial court, in finding defendant guilty in bench trial on charge of violating armed habitual criminal statute, improperly relied on assertions about effects of police training on ability to identify faces seen for few seconds from 150 feet away. Appellate Court, in reversing defendant’s conviction and remanding for new trial, found that defendant was not afforded fair and impartial trial because trial court improperly relied upon unsupported assertions about effects of police training on ability to identify faces, and that trial court’s comments showed improper underlying presumption that police officers are trustworthy. (Dissent filed.)