The People of the State of New York v. George Taylor

Summary

The Court reversed the Appellate Division, holding that the police officer’s phone message was improperly admitted as a past recollection recorded and that, together with an uncertified DMV record, the error was not harmless, warranting a new trial; the Court affirmed the lower court’s refusal to give a jury instruction on the affirmative defense of renunciation. Justice Bellacosa dissented, arguing that the evidence should have been admitted and the convictions affirmed.