People v. Lopez

OPINION OF THE COURT

Alexander, J.

Defendant was charged in a one-count indictment with murder in the second degree (Penal Law § 125.25 [1]). The indictment alleged that defendant had intentionally caused the death of Herbert William Badgley "by stabbing him with a sharp instrument”. After extensive consultations with counsel and family members, defendant accepted a negotiated plea arrangement under which he would plead guilty to the lesser crime of manslaughter in the first degree (Penal Law § 125.20) in full satisfaction of the indictment. During the plea allocution, however, defendant made…