Opinion
September 13, 1990
Appeal from the Supreme Court, Bronx County (Fred Eggert, J.).
The record reveals that the trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying the defendant's request for a second Spanish interpreter at trial, where, during the trial proceedings, the court directed the defendant's interpreter to translate the testimony of a witness for the benefit of the jurors. (People v. Ramos, 26 N.Y.2d 272.)
Defendant's rights to assistance of counsel, to assist in his own defense, to confront the witnesses against him and to be present at trial were not violated, since defendant was able to comprehend the testimony of the Spanish-speaking witness without an interpreter, and because the trial court permitted the interpreter to return to the defense table whenever the defendant or defense counsel needed to confer with him. (People v Marrero, 156 A.D.2d 141, lv denied 75 N.Y.2d 921.)
Concur — Ross, J.P., Kassal, Ellerin and Wallach, JJ.