People v. Aiken

OPINION OF THE COURT

Jasen, J.

This appeal raises the issue whether appellant, who voluntarily and willfully absented himself from trial, was denied the right to effective assistance of counsel.

In the late evening hours of July 24, 1970, two detectives of the New Rochelle Police Department, on patrol in an unmarked car, received a call directing them to proceed to a private residence in New Rochelle. Upon arriving at the subject premises and approaching the house, one of the detectives observed a figure drop to the ground and attempt to roll under shrubbery adjacent to the house. Shining a…