The People of the State of New York v. . William Rodawald

Summary

The New York Court of Appeals affirmed the murder conviction of William Rodawald, holding that the trial court did not err in admitting the railroad foreman's testimony, correctly excluded the deceased's prior convictions and the hypothetical question, and that the charge on self‑defense was sufficient. The court found no reversible error in the jury instructions. Justice O'Brien dissented, arguing that the trial court should have given a broader self‑defense instruction and that a new trial was warranted.