People v. Young

OPINION OF THE COURT

Alexander, J.

The defense of mental disease or defect (Penal Law § 30.05), 1 if accepted by a jury, will absolve a defendant of all criminal responsibility for conduct charged in an indictment whereas the defense of extreme emotional disturbance, if accepted by a jury, will only serve to mitigate the crime of murder in the second degree (Penal Law § 125.25 [1] [a]) by reducing it to manslaughter in the first degree (Penal Law § 125.20 [2]). Because the trial court impermissibly curtailed the jury’s consideration of the insanity defense, and failed to properly instruct the…