Opinion ID: 2141968
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Cases Before Us

Text: Based on the facts presented in these two cases, and applying our established principles of depraved indifference murder as articulated in Register and Sanchez, I conclude that there was legally sufficient evidence to support the second-degree murder conviction of defendant Santos Suarez. Viewed in the light most favorable to the People, the jury could have rationally determined that Suarez did not consciously intend to kill the victim when he became embroiled in a dispute with her, but rather acted recklessly by disregarding the grave risk that his conduct would result in the death of the victim. Suarez testified that he did not intend to kill the victim. Surely jurors are allowed to credit this testimony. Suarez also alleged that it was his girlfriend who produced the knife during their verbal confrontation. If found to be a credible claim by the jury, this was an indication that the attack by defendant was not premeditated ( cf. People v Gonzalez, 1 NY3d 464 [2004] [after seeing the victim, the defendant departed and later returned with the murder weapon]; People v Hafeez, 100 NY2d 253 [2003] [retaliatory attack was plotted in advance]). There was also ample evidence that defendant's actions created such an exceptionally high, grave risk of death that they were properly classified as depraved indifference murder rather than manslaughter. The victim received three stab wounds in her torso, two of which perforated a major vein and caused half of the blood in the victim's body to pour into her chest cavity. Under these circumstances, the jury's determination that Suarez was guilty of depraved indifference murder was rational as it was supported by record evidence. As for defendant Trisha McPherson, I concur with the majority that the evidence was insufficient to justify a depraved indifference murder conviction. Unlike in Suarez, McPherson was not charged with both depraved indifference murder and intentional murder and the People did not assert at trial that she possessed an intent to kill. The only issue was whether there were objective circumstances evincing a depraved indifference to human life. The proof, even viewed in the People's favor, was that McPherson carried the knife to the scene and during an escalating argument with the victim, inflicted a single stab wound. McPherson then immediately called 911 for help and remained with the victim until she heard sirens indicating that assistance was on the way before departing, demonstrating her efforts to minimize the possibility that the wound she inflicted would prove to be fatal. Accordingly, in People v Suarez, I would affirm defendant's conviction; in People v McPherson, I would modify by dismissing the depraved indifference murder conviction. In light of the majority's decision to remit McPherson for consideration of the proper remedy, it is unnecessary for me to address the proper corrective action that should be taken and I therefore express no view on the propriety of remittal. In People v Suarez: Order reversed and case remitted to the Appellate Division, First Department, for further proceedings in accordance with the opinion herein. In People v McPherson: On defendant's appeal from the order of the Appellate Division affirming the judgment of conviction and sentence as to murder in the second degree, order reversed and case remitted to the Appellate Division, Second Department, for further proceedings in accordance with the opinion herein. On defendant's appeal from the order of the Appellate Division affirming the order of Supreme Court denying defendant's CPL 440.10 motion, order affirmed.