People v. Vincent

Mat,t.ktt, C.J.

We granted leave in this case to determine whether the Court of Appeals properly characterized a particular statement made by a trial judge as a directed verdict of acquittal. We reverse the judgment of the Court of Appeals and hold that the judge’s inchoate observations did not ripen into a directed verdict of acquittal and did not become a final judgment. There was neither a written or signed order nor an oral or written ruling on the record sufficiently detailing the reasons for granting or denying the motion. Consequently, the defendant’s constitutional right not to be…