People v. Torres

Appeal by the defendant from a judgment of the Supreme Court, Kings County (Kreindler, J.), rendered July 6, 1988, convicting him of murder in the second degree (two counts), and robbery in the first degree, upon a jury verdict, and imposing sentence.

Ordered that the judgment is reversed, on the law, and a new trial is ordered. No questions of fact have been raised or considered.

Prior to the commencement of the Sandoval and Wade hearings, defense counsel informed the court that he was having a communication problem with the defendant who refused to speak with him. After jury selection had…