Court Opinion

ID: 9401450
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-06-13 13:06:04.472616+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:19:52.866386
License: Public Domain

State of New York                                              MEMORANDUM
Court of Appeals                                          This memorandum is uncorrected and subject to
                                                        revision before publication in the New York Reports.

 No. 71 SSM 2
 The People &c.,
         Respondent,
      v.
 Stanley Holmes,
         Appellant.

 Submitted by Megan D. Byrne, for appellant.
 Submitted by Michael J. Yetter, for respondent.

 MEMORANDUM:

       The order of the Appellate Division should be reversed, and a new trial ordered. In

 contrast to People v Duarte (37 NY3d 1218 [2022]), the trial court here recognized

 defendant as having unequivocally requested to proceed pro se. However, the court failed

 to conduct the required “‘searching inquiry’ to ensure that the defendant’s waiver [of the

 right to counsel] is knowing, intelligent, and voluntary” (People v Silburn, 31 NY3d 144,

 150 [2018] [internal quotation omitted]).

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                                         -2-                                SSM No. 2

On review of submissions pursuant to section 500.11 of the Rules, order reversed, and a
new trial ordered, in a memorandum. Chief Judge Wilson and Judges Rivera, Garcia,
Singas, Cannataro and Troutman concur. Judge Halligan took no part.

Decided June 13, 2023

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