The People of the State of New York, Appellant v. Sidney Butler, Respondent

Summary

The New York Court of Appeals reversed the Appellate Division and remanded for further proceedings, holding that the trial court was not required to give lesser‑included manslaughter instructions merely because it gave an intoxication instruction. The Court emphasized that each instructional request must be evaluated independently under CPL 300.50. Justice Levine dissented, arguing that manslaughter in the second degree should have been submitted as a lesser‑included offense.