The People of the State of New York v. . Pasquale Leonardi

Summary

The Court of Appeals reversed Pasquale Leonardi's first‑degree murder conviction and ordered a new trial. It held that the trial judge erred by requiring intoxication to be so extreme as to eliminate intent, deliberation, and premeditation before the jury could consider intoxication. The Court clarified the proper instruction on voluntary intoxication under the Penal Code and explained that a new trial may be granted when a material error of this kind threatens the ends of justice.