People v. Rivera

OPINION OF THE COURT

In these two cases, defendants contend that they were *708denied effective assistance of counsel. In People v Rivera, defendant was charged with robbery and murder. At trial, the main evidence connecting him to the crimes was his written and videotaped station house confessions, in which he admitted to being a lookout while his friend robbed and killed the victim. Rivera was convicted of felony murder and sentenced to an indeterminate term of 20 years to life. The Appellate Division modified the judgment by reducing defendant’s sentence. At trial, Rivera testified that he…