People v. Givens

—Judgment unanimously reversed on the law and new trial granted. Memorandum: Defendant’s absence from the Sandoval conference deprived defendant of his right to be present at all material stages of the proceedings against him (see, People v Dokes, 79 NY2d 656, 662; see also, People v Cruz, 81 NY2d 738; People v Dincher, 201 AD2d 892, lv denied 83 NY2d 851). Because County Court’s in-ehambers Sandoval ruling was not wholly favorable to defendant (see, People v Michalek, 82 NY2d 906, 907; People v Favor, 82 NY2d 254, 267), defendant’s presence at that conference would not have been…