Court Opinion

ID: 5984481
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2022-01-13 08:31:45.290439+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:49:35.459602
License: Public Domain

—Judgment unanimously reversed on the law and new trial granted. Memorandum: In its instructions to the jury on reasonable doubt, County Court used the phrases "reasonably certain” and "reasonable degree of certainty” when defining the degree of proof to which the People must be held. We have previously held that that language effectively reduces the People’s burden of proof, thereby depriving defendant of a fair trial (see, People v Guiteau, 204 AD2d 1035, lv denied 84 NY2d 868; People v Bradley, 201 AD2d 914). In light of our determination, it is unnecessary to address defendant’s remaining arguments for a new trial. We agree with the determination of the hearing court that, under the circumstances, defendant’s statement to the police was voluntary and was not obtained in *951violation of defendant’s right to counsel. (Appeal from Judgment of Niagara County Court, Hannigan, J.—Murder, 2nd Degree.) Present—Balio, J. P., Lawton, Fallon, Wesley and Doerr, JJ.