Criticizing a federal judge who “belittled” a defense lawyer in front of a jury, a federal appeals court this week granted a new trial in a Michigan gun case.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit said U.S. District Judge John O'Meara's in-court comments about the defense lawyer, Marvin Barnett, “created an appearance of bias that undermines the verdict.” The court also questioned the judge's reading of the definition of reasonable doubt. (Read the appeals court ruling here.)

Barnett defended a man named Reginald Daniels, who was charged with gun crimes. A jury found Daniels guilty on two counts—firearm possession and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number—but the appeals court reversed the conviction and ordered a new trial. Daniels had been sentenced to more than seven years in prison.