People v. Sotomayer

May 12, 1992
Versions:79 N.Y.2d 1029
594 N.E.2d 925
584 N.Y.S.2d 431
1992 N.Y. LEXIS 1300

OPINION OF THE COURT

Memorandum.

The order of the Appellate Division should be affirmed.

It was reversible error for the trial court to submit to the jury a verdict sheet which, in addition to enumerating the crimes charged and possible verdicts, instructed the jury on the order in which the charges should be considered and the effect of a determination that the prosecution failed to disprove justification. Pursuant to CPL 310.20, a deliberating jury may be provided with a written list itemizing the offenses charged and the possible verdicts thereon. Without the parties’ consent, it was error in this case to submit a verdict sheet that recited more (see, People v Taylor, 76 NY2d 873; People v Nimmons, 72 NY2d 830). Such an error created a risk that the jury’s deliberative process would be "unfairly skewed” (People v Taylor, supra, at 874). Because the ultimate guilt determination was brought into question, such an error cannot be considered harmless (see, People v Brooks, 70 NY2d 896, 898; People v Owens, 69 NY2d 585, 591-592).

Chief Judge Wachtler and Judges Kaye, Titone, Hancock, Jr., Bellacosa and Yesawich, Jr.,* concur; Judge Simons taking no part.

Order affirmed in a memorandum.

Notes

Designated pursuant to NY Constitution, article VI, § 2.