The People of the State of New York v. Lushington Lewis

Summary

The Court of Appeals reversed the conviction and ordered a new trial because the trial court erred by admitting testimony of prior uncharged incestuous acts to prove the defendant's "amorous design," which was neither necessary to resolve any ambiguity nor relevant to any element of the crime. The evidence establishing the victim's relationship to the defendant and the defendant's knowledge thereof was deemed sufficient, but the prejudicial effect of the inadmissible prior acts required reversal.