Case Name: The People of the State of New York, Respondent, v. Alex Black, Appellant
Court: New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1994-03-11
Citations: 202 A.D.2d 990
Docket Number: 
Parties: The People of the State of New York, Respondent, v Alex Black, Appellant.
Judges: 
Reporter: Appellate Division Reports
Volume: 202
Pages: 990–990

Head Matter:
The People of the State of New York, Respondent, v Alex Black, Appellant.
[609 NYS2d 468]

Opinion:
—Judgment unanimously reversed on the law and new trial granted. Memorandum: The People concede that defendant was not present when the trial court conducted an in-chambers Sandoval hearing. After that hearing, the court permitted the prosecutor to question defendant concerning the act underlying a prior robbery charge. Because his presence at that hearing would not have been superfluous (see, People v Odiat, 82 NY2d 872; People v Favor, 82 NY2d 254, 267; People v Dokes, 79 NY2d 656, 661), defendant was denied the right to be present at a material stage of the trial and a new trial is required (People v Dokes, supra). Under the circumstances, we do not reach the remaining issue raised by defendant. (Appeal from Judgment of Monroe County Court, Egan, J. — Murder, 2nd Degree.) Present — Green, J. P., Balio, Lawton, Doerr and Boehm, JJ.