Case Name: The People of the State of New York, Respondent, v. Walter Moore, Appellant
Court: New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1985-07-12
Citations: 112 A.D.2d 758
Docket Number: 
Parties: The People of the State of New York, Respondent, v Walter Moore, Appellant.
Judges: 
Reporter: Appellate Division Reports
Volume: 112
Pages: 758–758

Head Matter:
The People of the State of New York, Respondent, v Walter Moore, Appellant.

Opinion:
Judgment unanimously reversed, on the law, and new trial granted. Memorandum: Defendant was deprived of his right to testify because of the court's erroneous ruling that statements made by the defendant as a basis for a plea of guilty which was later withdrawn could be used for purposes of impeachment at trial. Once a guilty plea has been withdrawn, it ceases to be evidence and "is out of the case forever and for all purposes" (People v Spitaleri, 9 NY2d 168, 173; see also, People v Droz, 39 NY2d 457; People v Papo, 80 AD2d 623). People v Evans (58 NY2d 14) is not to the contrary. The statement in Evans was not a part of the actual plea colloquy as are the statements which the People sought to use here. To permit the substance of the plea colloquy to be used at a subsequent trial would render the withdrawal of the plea a mockery. (Appeal from judgment of Erie County Court, Forma, J. — burglary, third degree.) Present — Dillon, P. J., Hancock, Jr., Doerr, Denman and O'Donnell, JJ.