Court Opinion

ID: 5882892
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-01-13 02:22:43.730471+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:45:04.466726
License: Public Domain

Kupferman, J. P. (concurring).
The various well-considered opinions in this matter in this court and at Trial Term demonstrate that reasonable people may differ.
While the justification defense is subjective, there must still be a reasonable response by the subject, but if there is any doubt, the mythical reasonable person’s approach cannot substitute for the reality of the subject’s thinking.
In a matter where nuance is so important, I must come down on the side of an interpretation which recognizes the individual’s own background and learning. The instruction to the Grand Jury was lacking in this regard, and so I would affirm.