People v. Velasco

—Judgment, Supreme Court, Bronx County (Elbert C. Hinkson, J.), rendered May 26, 1987, which after a jury trial, convicted defendant of manslaughter in the first degree (Penal Law § 125.20 [1]) and sentenced him to a prison term of 7 to 21 years, unanimously affirmed.

The evidence in this case established that defendant stabbed the deceased, an acquaintance, several times with a "Ninja knife” in front of witnesses. Defendant advanced a defense of justification, and called a witness who testified that the deceased provoked the fight by attacking defendant with a boxcutter, stabbing defendant in…