New York Court of Appeals
The People of the State of New York, Respondent v. Corey E. Becoats, Appellant; the People of the State of New…
October 20, 201117 N.Y.3d 643
Summary
The Court affirmed the manslaughter and robbery convictions of Corey Becoats and reversed the convictions of Jason Wright, ordering a new trial for Wright. The reversal was based on the erroneous exclusion of hearsay evidence that could have shown Wright's non‑participation in the crime's planning. The Court also held that unpreserved duplicitous indictment claims and the denial of an adjournment for Becoats were not reversible errors. Chief Judge Lippman dissented, arguing that the denial of Becoats' adjournment warranted a new trial.