New York Court of Appeals
The People of the State of New York v. Frederick Charles Wood
December 6, 196212 N.Y.2d 69
Summary
The New York Court of Appeals affirmed the conviction and death sentence of Frederick Charles Wood, holding that the jury correctly found he knew his acts were wrong under section 1120 of the Penal Law and that the prosecutor's remarks did not deprive him of a fair trial. The Court rejected Wood's insanity defense, finding the evidence sufficient to support the verdict. A dissent argued that the current "right‑wrong" test is flawed and that the prosecutor's comments warranted reversal.