People v. Ashdown

OPINION OF THE COURT

George B. Ceresia, Jr., J.

*837On March 23, 2006 the defendant entered a plea of guilty to the crime of attempted murder second degree, a class B felony (see Penal Law §§ 110.00, 125.25). The sentencing has been scheduled to be held at 9:30 a.m. on April 21, 2006. The court has received an application from Eric Hoppel, executive producer of WNYT-TV News Channel 13, to access the proceeding using audio-visual equipment. The request necessitates a review of the scope and breadth of Civil Rights Law § 52. As relevant here, Civil Rights Law § 52, enacted in 1952,1 recites as…