People v. Smart

OPINION OF THE COURT

Memorandum.

The order of the Appellate Division should be affirmed.

Defendant was convicted after a jury trial of attempted murder in the second degree and other offenses for shooting his uncle. Defendant contends that the trial court failed to conduct a sufficient inquiry when it learned of prior contact between defendant’s attorney and the victim, the People’s primary witness. We conclude that no reversible error occurred.

In his opening statement, defense counsel referred to the victim, defendant’s uncle, as a “bully” and a “terrorist.” In response, the prosecutor elicited…