People v. Vollmer

Defendant, proprietor of an Amsterdam, New York, tavern, indicted for murder, second degree, was convicted of the crime of manslaughter,' first degree, for the killing of Charles Amberger, a customer in the tavern. The Appellate Division, Third Department, affirmed the judgment, and its Presiding Justice granted defendant a certificate permitting an appeal to this court.

The County Judge’s charge told the jury that it might, if guilt had been shown beyond a reasonable doubt, convict defendant of murder in the second degree, manslaughter in the first degree, or manslaughter in the second…