People v. Friedt

Defendant appeals from a judgment of the County Court of Richmond County convicting her of murder in the second degree. Judgment reversed on the law and new trial ordered. In examining defendant’s witness, Dr. Seala, the Trial Judge erroneously assumed that the assistant medical examiner of the city of New York had testified for the People that in his opinion iodine poison had, with asphyxia, caused the death of defendant’s infant son. The People’s witness testified that he did not think that iodine poison caused the death. The Trial Judge also erred in demanding repeatedly, over objection,…