If by reason of death, sickness, or other disability, a judge before whom the defendant has been tried is unable to perform the duties to be, performed by the court after a verdict or finding of guilty, any successor or special judge sitting in or assigned to the court in which the case was tried may perform those duties; but if such other judge is satisfied that he or she cannot perform those duties because he or she did not preside at the trial or for any other reason, such judge may in his or her discretion grant a new trial.