Yes, a judge always asks the defendant in a criminal case whether or not he wants to testify on his own behalf. It’s standard procedure. However, that usually happens when the Defense is finished putting on its case and normally the judge gives the defendant’s attorneys notice ahead of time that she is going to formally ask the defendant.
Judge Nelson did not do that just a bit ago. GZ had no idea she was going to ask him. He was clearly unprepared to answer and was denied the opportunity to consult with his attorneys on the matter.
Just before this last recess, Judge Nelson informed MOM and West that she would soon be formally asking GZ if he wanted to testify, which is how it should have been handled in the first place.
Is it SOP to do it before the Jury?
I know she has to ask that. I only saw a replay of her questioning, but I was under the impression that she did that in front of the jury. If so, I would find that to be extremely prejudicial.
>> He was clearly unprepared to answer and was denied the opportunity to consult with his attorneys on the matter.
If I were Z I think I would tell her as politely as I could muster, “I need to exercise my constitutional rights and consult with my COUNSEL about that — would you and the gestapo mind leaving the room for a sec hon?”