New York Court of Appeals

The People of the State of New York v. David Safian, Appellant the People of the State of New York v. Robert F. Miner

December 6, 197846 N.Y.2d 181

Summary

The New York Court of Appeals affirmed the murder convictions of both David Safian and Robert Miner, holding that the admission of Miner’s confession at Safian’s joint trial did not violate the Bruton rule because the confessions were substantially identical and the risk of prejudice was negligible, and that severance of the trials was not required. A concurring/dissenting opinion argued that Safian was prejudiced and deserved a new trial.