Case Name: The People of the State of New York, Respondent, v. James Woodson, Appellant
Court: New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1980-01-08
Citations: 73 A.D.2d 862
Docket Number: 
Parties: The People of the State of New York, Respondent, v James Woodson, Appellant.
Judges: 
Reporter: Appellate Division Reports
Volume: 73
Pages: 862–862

Head Matter:
The People of the State of New York, Respondent, v James Woodson, Appellant.

Opinion:
— Judgment of conviction, Supreme Court, Bronx County, rendered November 2, 1977, after trial to a jury, reversed, on the law, and the case remanded for a new trial. Amongst other errors called to our attention was an improper charge concerning defendant's alibi defense: the court did not charge unqualifiedly that an alibi which raises a reasonable doubt entitles a defendant to acquittal. (People v Brown, 62 AD2d 715.) Further, improper hearsay testimony concerning a detective's conversations with defendant's relatives was admitted. Additionally, without proper foundation therefor, the court permitted the prosecutor to argue that a relative of defendant was a "missing witness" under a party's control, and gave the usual charge appropriate to such a circumstance. Concur — Birns, J. P., Sandler, Sullivan, Markewich and Yesawich, JJ.