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 New York 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 material to the justification defense. The Court emphasized that the trial court has broad discretion in evidentiary rulings and that the proffered testimony did not bear on the reasonableness of the defendant's use of deadly force. Justice Titone dissented, arguing that the testimony was material to the People’s motive theory and should have been admitted.