People v. Burton
Opinion of the Court
—Appeal by
Ordered that the judgment is affirmed.
The defense counsel elicited admissions from the prosecution’s main witness that he lied to the police in his initial statement, that he lied to the Grand Jury, and that he was a drug dealer. Attempts to further impeach the witness by showing bias or motive to fabricate his story were properly limited by the trial court. Although technically relevant, the issues raised by the proposed line of questioning were too slight, remote, or conjectural to have any legitimate influence in determining the facts in issue (see, People v Martinez, 177 AD2d 600, 601; People v Allen, 67 AD2d 558).
The defendant’s remaining contentions, including the contention raised in his supplemental pro se brief, are without merit. Goldstein, J. P., McGinity, H. Miller and Townes, JJ., concur.
Case-law data current through December 31, 2025. Source: CourtListener bulk data.