New York Court of Appeals
The People of the State of New York, Respondent v. Terry Aska, Appellant
May 5, 199891 N.Y.2d 979
Summary
The Court of Appeals affirmed the Appellate Division's order, holding that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in excluding the defense witness's testimony because the evidence was collateral and not probative of the defendant's state of mind or the reasonableness of his use of deadly force. The court emphasized the broad discretion afforded to trial courts in evidentiary rulings. Justice Titone dissented, arguing that the testimony was material to the prosecution's motive theory and should have been admitted.