Case Name: The People of the State of New York, Respondent, v. Nelson Rivera, Appellant
Court: New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1996-03-12
Citations: 225 A.D.2d 360
Docket Number: 
Parties: The People of the State of New York, Respondent, v Nelson Rivera, Appellant.
Judges: 
Reporter: Appellate Division Reports
Volume: 225
Pages: 360–360

Head Matter:
The People of the State of New York, Respondent, v Nelson Rivera, Appellant.
[639 NYS2d 24]

Opinion:
When, during a trial in which defendant claimed mistaken identity, his identical twin brother unexpectedly entered the courtroom, the trial court properly exercised its discretion in giving defendant the choice of either permitting the prosecutor to subpoena the brother to testify to his whereabouts at the time of the crime or of not permitting the brother to again enter the courtroom during the trial. Defendant's other claim that he was deprived of his right to be present when the court conducted several voir dire conferences in the robing room is not properly presented for appellate review, there being no proof in the record that defendant was absent from such proceedings (People v Kinchen, 60 NY2d 772). On the contrary, the record sufficiently establishes that defendant was present during the robing room conferences in question, notwithstanding minor inconsistencies in the court reporter's method of noting defendant's presence. Concur — Rosenberger, J. P., Ellerin, Rubin, Kupferman and Tom, JJ.