People v. Simmons

Judgment unanimously affirmed. Memorandum: Defendant contends that the trial court’s charge on the defense of justification was inadequate because a portion of the charge can be interpreted as shifting the burden of proof on that defense from the People to defendant. We disagree. In its charge, the trial court repeatedly instructed the jury that it was the People’s burden to disprove the defense of justification beyond a reasonable doubt. Consequently, although the court’s charge could have been more precisely phrased, reversal is not warranted because the jury, hearing the whole charge,…