Public-domain · open source
OpenJurist

116 A.D.2d 316

People v. Goetz

Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of the State of New York · decided 1986-04-17

Decided 1986-04-17

Kupferman, J. P. (concurring).

¶1The various well-considered opinions in this matter in this court and at Trial Term demonstrate that reasonable people may differ.

¶2While the justification defense is subjective, there must still be a reasonable response by the subject, but if there is any doubt, the mythical reasonable person’s approach cannot substitute for the reality of the subject’s thinking.

¶3In a matter where nuance is so important, I must come down on the side of an interpretation which recognizes the individual’s own background and learning. The instruction to the Grand Jury was lacking in this regard, and so I would affirm.

/116/ad2d/316 · .json · Public domain