AMICUS AI
Citation Codes
Equivalent Citations
citation codes
Are you a practicing lawyer?
Enhance your digital presence and reach by creating a Casemine profile.
Upload pleading to use the new AI search
Cites
Cited by
Citation Codes
Equivalent Citations
citation codes

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, Respondent, v. WENCESLAO VASQUEZ, Appellant.

Appeal by defendant from a judgment of the Supreme Court, Kings County, rendered March 7, 1973, convicting him of criminal possession of a dangerous drug in the first degree, upon a jury verdict, and imposing sentence. Judgment reversed, on the law and as a matter of discretion in the interest of justice, and new trial ordered. The trial court's continuous intrusion during cross-examination and its denigration of defense counsel deprived defendant of a fair trial (People v Setaro, 44 A.D.2d 847; People v Ramsey, 40 A.D.2d 837). Cohalan, Christ and Shapiro, JJ., concur; Latham, Acting P.J., dissents and votes to affirm the judgment, with the following memorandum, in which Brennan, J., concurs: The trial was concededly not perfect. The trial court said some things which might better have been left unsaid, but corrective instructions were given to the jury. The issue was simple — possession of 1 1/2 pounds of heroin. The defense offered no testimony. The jury found defendant guilty. In my view the interests of justice do not dictate a reversal. The judgment should be affirmed.

Use AI to get other relevant cases.

Comments

PEOPLE v. VASQUEZ
(Mar 31, 1975)