People v. Osorio

OPINION OF THE COURT

Milonas, J.

This case involves an appeal by the People from an order granting defendants’joint motion to vacate the jury verdict convicting them of murder in the second degree.

*234On July 28, 1976 at approximately 5:30 a.m., Alonzo “Big Al” Johnson was shot to death on Lenox Avenue between 114th and 115th Streets. The investigation of the homicide proved unproductive until November of 1977, when Eugene Ricci, a reputed drug addict, pimp and informant, approached the police and, asserting that he feared for his life, implicated the defendants. According to Ricci, he and the…