People v. Jackson

Decision reserved, case held and matter remitted to Erie County Court for further proceedings in accordance with memorandum: At the time defendant pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of manslaughter in the first degree, defendant admitted that he had "shot somebody” but asserted that his actions were in self-defense. This assertion should have triggered a further inquiry by the trial court as to the circumstances surrounding the commission of the crime and the availability of any defenses. (People v Serrano, 15 NY2d 304.) Such an inquiry was necessary to determine whether defendant’s plea was voluntarily and knowingly made (see People v Selikoff, 35 NY2d 227; People v Nixon, 21 NY2d 338). (Appeal from judgment of Erie County Court—manslaughter, first degree.) Present— Marsh, P. J., Moule, Cardamone, Simons and Goldman JJ.