People v. Echevarria

OPINION OF THE COURT

Rosenblatt, J.

Defendant claims that the jury’s verdict finding him guilty of murder in the first degree must be vacated because the jury had earlier rendered a partial verdict finding him guilty of second degree murder.

While looking for drugs in an Upper Manhattan neighborhood, defendant entered the apartment of the two victims, whom he knew. Using a knife from their kitchen, he stabbed one victim 19 times and the other 30 times. In a four-count indictment covering both victims, defendant was charged with two counts of first degree murder under Penal Law § 125.27 (1) (a)…