People v. Sanford

Judgment unanimously reversed on the law and new trial granted. Memorandum: On appeal from a conviction of first degree rape, defendant argues that he was denied his constitutional right to effective assistance of counsel. We agree. Defense counsel failed to make any pretrial motions. He failed to pursue defendant’s pro se speedy trial motion even though there was a serious question whether the prosecutor’s announcement of readiness for trial in a letter satisfied the People’s burden of a timely announce-

*1000ment on the record (see, People v Brothers, 50 NY2d 413, 416; People v Hamilton, 46 NY2d…