People v. Matthews

OPINION OF THE COURT

Chief Judge Wachtler.

The defendant has been convicted, after a jury trial, of robbery and related offenses in connection with a hold-up of a bar. The Appellate Division affirmed the conviction and the defendant appeals. The defendant’s primary contention is that he was denied a fair trial when the prosecutor cross-examining him made a "surprise inquiry” concerning an unrelated robbery in another State. The defendant urges that we reexamine the rule announced in People v Sandoval (34 NY2d 371) and shift the burden to the prosecutor of obtaining prior court approval before…