In re Commitment of Edwards

(Court opinion corrected 12/10/21.) After jury trial, Respondent was found to be a sexually violent person under the Sexually Violent Persons Commitment Act. Court did not abuse its discretion in finding that Respondent had waived his right to be present.  Although court could have properly asked prospective jurors whether they could be impartial after hearing that Respondent had been convicted of a sexually violent offense involving a child, the failure to ask the question was not an abuse of discretion. Although some of the trial court's comments during trial and during closing argument were improper, they did not prejudice jury by displaying a bias against Respondent or his counsel. (McBRIDE and ELLIS, concurring.)