Case Name: The People of the State of New York, Respondent, v. John Kearns, Appellant
Court: New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division
Jurisdiction: New York
Decision Date: 1925-06
Citations: 214 A.D. 804
Docket Number: 
Parties: The People of the State of New York, Respondent, v. John Kearns, Appellant.
Judges: 
Reporter: Appellate Division Reports
Volume: 214
Pages: 804–804

Head Matter:
The People of the State of New York, Respondent, v. John Kearns, Appellant.

Opinion:
Judgment of conviction of the County Court of Kings county reversed upon the law, and a new trial ordered. It was error for the court to indulge in the remark as to the defendant's ability to produce on his own behalf an " available witness," referring to one of defendant's companions. The law placed no such duty upon the defendant. The trial court also erred in its charge on the subject of character evidence, limiting the application of such testimony to " a doubtful case " and " a close case." This remark and charge, while not excepted to, constitute ground of error, and in our opinion call for a reversal, in the interests of justice, under section 527 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. Kelly, P. J., Jaycox. Kelby and Kapper, JJ., concur; Rich, J., dissents and votes to affirm.