People v. Rolf

Judgment unanimously affirmed. Memorandum: Upon review of the record, we reject defendant’s contention that he was deprived of effective assistance of counsel. Viewed in totality, the representation provided to defendant met the standard of "meaningful representation” (People v Baldi, 54 NY2d 137, 147). The defense was that the victim’s death was accidental; thus, counsel’s failure to offer psychiatric testimony to support the defense of extreme emotional disturbance must be regarded as a deliberate tactical decision.

The court properly admitted evidence of defendant’s prior threats and acts…