New York Court of Appeals
The People of the State of New York, Respondent v. Stephen S. LaValle, Appellant
June 24, 20043 N.Y.3d 88
Summary
The Court affirmed the conviction, vacated the death sentence, and remanded for resentencing because the statutory deadlock instruction was found unconstitutional under the New York Constitution's due‑process clause. It also upheld the trial court's rulings on jury‑selection challenges, the defendant's request to proceed pro se, the Brady material, and the victim‑impact testimony. Justice Rosenblatt concurred and Justice Smith dissented, arguing the instruction is constitutional and severable.