Case Name: The People of the State of New York, Respondent, v. William H. Draper, Appellant
Court: New York Court of Appeals
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1952-11-20
Citations: 304 N.Y. 799
Docket Number: 
Parties: The People of the State of New York, Respondent, v. William H. Draper, Appellant.
Judges: 
Reporter: New York Reports
Volume: 304
Pages: 799–800

Head Matter:
The People of the State of New York, Respondent, v. William H. Draper, Appellant.
Argued October 14, 1952;
decided November 20, 1952.
Herbert W. Lacy and Leon Katzen for appellant.
Clarence J. Henry, District Attorney, for respondent.

Opinion:
Judgment of conviction affirmed; no opinion.
Concur: Lewis, Conway, Desmond, Dye and Fuld, JJ. Loitghban, Ch. J., and Fboessel, J., dissent and vote to order a new trial in the following memorandum: The defendant's constitutional protection against compulsory self incrimination was invaded when the trial prosecutor commented adversely and at length upon the defendant's refusal to take a truth serum test (see People v. Forte, 277 N. Y. 440; 8 Wigmore on Evidence [3d ed.], § 2272-2273). The further comment of the District Attorney to the jury that they should not be misled by any idea that this defendant, who pleaded insanity, may be confined permanently to a hospital, thus suggesting that he might be released, was also improper. [See 304 N. Y. 881.]