The People of the State of New York, Appellant v. Bedros Yavru-Sakuk, Respondent

Summary

The New York Court of Appeals reversed the Appellate Term's order that dismissed the indictment because the trial tape recording was lost, holding that loss of a trial exhibit does not automatically deprive a defendant of effective appellate review. The Court remanded the case for the Appellate Term to apply the Strollo framework, determine the tape's substantive importance, and consider reconstruction if necessary.