People v. Scott

OPINION OF THE COURT

Simons, J.

Defendant, a black prostitute, was charged with murdering and robbing a white customer, a retired Rochester police officer. She claimed at trial that she acted in self-defense when decedent attacked her with a knife because she failed to satisfy him. The jury found her guilty of manslaughter, first degree, and grand larceny, third degree, and the court sentenced her to a 7- to 21-year prison term on the manslaughter count with a lesser concurrent sentence for the larceny.

Defendant contends the conviction may not stand because at trial her counsel established an…