Assess the conduct of the judge in this trial. Is he biased? Are his rulings legally sound?

The judge is a "humorless" man who "has a nervous habit of flashing a smile after every ruling." The judge clearly leans toward the prosecution, even announcing Rev. Brown's prayer meeting in the court. He adheres very closely to the beliefs of the town and letter of the law, not even allowing expert testimony about evolution. He is closed-minded and will not see Drummond's point of view, the need to explore whether or not the law under which Cates was charged is right or wrong. Ultimately, he is pragmatic and when the mayor tells him about the wire from the statehouse warning about the effect of the verdict on upcoming elections, he sentences Cates only to a minor fine.