People v. Coates

OPINION OF THE COURT

Alexander, J.

The question we confront today is whether a criminal defendant who is represented by counsel and who specifically requests the assistance of his attorney at an investigatory lineup may be subjected to such a lineup by the police without defendant’s lawyer being notified of the impending lineup and afforded an opportunity to appear.

I

On the evening of July 22, 1983, an unknown assailant dressed completely in black and wearing silver sunglasses followed a group of three women and four children into the elevator of an apartment building located at 700 West 176th…