State of Minnesota, Respondent, vs. Mervel George Jones, III, Appellant

── State of Minnesota, Respondent, vs. Mervel George Jones, III, Appellant ── Court: Court of Appeals of Minnesota Date: October 13, 2025 Category: General Decision: We affirm Appellant challenges his convictions of first-degree assault and fleeing a peace officer following a jury trial. Appellant argues that he is entitled to a new trial because the district court judge violated his constitutional right to an impartial fact-finder when conducting its inquiry as to whether appellant forfeited his right to be present at trial after appellant failed to appear. Alternatively, appellant argues that he is entitled to a new trial because the district court judge violated the code of judicial conduct by creating an appearance of bias when discussing a hearsay objection with counsel. We affirm.