Case Name: The People of the State of New York, Respondent, v. Billy Brown, Appellant
Court: New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1976-07-06
Citations: 53 A.D.2d 867
Docket Number: 
Parties: The People of the State of New York, Respondent, v Billy Brown, Appellant.
Judges: 
Reporter: Appellate Division Reports
Volume: 53
Pages: 867–867

Head Matter:
The People of the State of New York, Respondent, v Billy Brown, Appellant.

Opinion:
Appeal by defendant from a judgment of the Supreme Court, Queens County, rendered January 30, 1973, convicting him of robbery in the second degree and grand larceny in the third degree, upon a jury verdict, and imposing sentence. Judgment reversed, as a matter of discretion in the interest of justice, and new trial ordered. The defendant was convicted of robbery in the second degree and grand larceny in the third degree after a jury trial. The excessive interjection of the Trial Judge, by questions and comment, deprived the defendant of a fair trial. The defendant points out that the record establishes that the Trial Judge asked 76% of the questions on direct examination, 42% of the questions on cross-examination, and 55% of the total questions asked. A Trial Judge indulging in such conduct interferes with the orderly development of the case by preempting the role of counsel (see People v Woods, 39 NY2d 852, revg on the dissenting memorandum of Mr. Justice Martuscello in 48 AD2d 708; People v Matos, 46 AD2d 903; People v Sostre, 37 AD2d 574). Hence, a reversal is mandated. Hopkins, Acting P. J., Latham, Cohalan, Titone and Hawkins, JJ., concur.