The People of the State of New York v. James A. Matteson, Jr.

Summary

The Court affirmed the Appellate Division's order that, because the defendant committed suicide while his direct appeal was pending, the appeal is abated and the conviction must be vacated and the indictment dismissed. The Court rejected the argument that the suicide constituted a waiver of the right to appeal. The decision rests on the principle that a deceased defendant is beyond the court's power to enforce or reverse a judgment.