People v. Ripic

On June 12, 1990, in response to an emergency call, police arrived at defendant’s home in the Town of Vestal, Broome County, and discovered her husband, Thomas Ripie, fatally shot. As the result of an hysterical reaction defendant, who is deaf, lost consciousness and was taken to a local hospital. The police immediately retained the services of two sign interpreters and proceeded to the hospital to discuss with defendant the circumstances surrounding Ripic’s death. While at the hospital, defendant admitted killing Ripie. Shortly thereafter, defendant was released from the hospital and,…