People v. Santiago

Kevin M. Doyle, Capital Defender (Thomas J. Kidera and Patricia J. Warth of counsel), for defendant. Howard R. Relin, District Attorney of Monroe County (Richard A. Keenan and Kenneth Hyland of counsel), for plaintiff.

OPINION OF THE COURT

WILLIAM H. BRISTOL, J. By oral motion made in court during March 2000, the defendant seeks an order allowing examination of prospective jurors This court is of the opinion and decides that the enactment of CPL 270.16 did not vitiate the viability of CPL 270.15. Rather it simply created a further opportunity for counsel to examine, individually, prospective jurors concerning their qualifications. The role of the trial court which includes broad discretion to conduct the voir dire remains unchanged. (See, People v Boulware, 29 NY2d 135.) For the foregoing reasons, this court has denied the motion of defense counsel in its entirety.