People v. Bell

On the night of May 11,1987, the defendant Randy Bell was attacked by Kenneth Porter on the porch of the defendant’s residence. During this altercation, the defendant stabbed Porter with a kitchen steak knife.

At his subsequent trial arising out of this incident, the defendant, having waived his right to a jury, was acquitted by the trial court of attempted murder in the second degree and assault in the first degree based on the court’s conclusion that he stabbed Porter in self-defense (see, Penal Law §§ 35.10, 35.15; see, People v McManus, 67 NY2d 541). The defendant was, however, convicted…