People v. Diallo

Evidence of a victim’s prior threats against a defendant is admissible to show both the victim’s and the defendant’s state of mind in a case where justification is asserted as a defense (People v Miller, 39 NY2d 543, 549). Although the opportunity to present evidence that might influence the determination of guilt is an element of fundamental fairness and due process *248(see, e.g., Chambers v Mississippi, 410 US 284, 295; Taylor v Illinois, 484 US 400, 408), Supreme Court’s curtailment of a witness’s testimony regarding prior threats by the murder victim directed at defendant did not, in this…