People v. Arca

Doerr, J. (dissenting).

I would reverse the conviction. The People’s proof consisted almost entirely of circumstantial evidence against defendant. When such is the case, for guilt to be proven beyond a reasonable doubt the hypothesis of guilt should flow naturally from the facts proved, and be consistent with them and must exclude to a moral certainty every hypothesis of innocence (People v Benzinger, 36 NY2d 29). This oft-stated rule becomes especially significant when examining several elements of this case. The proof offered at trial was largely medical in nature and consisted of a showing…