After he was tried and convicted of second degree murder, Victor Gavalo filed an appeal with the Appellate Division, Second Department, arguing his attorney's assistance was "ineffective."
While a few isolated errors usually won't trigger relief, the AD2 thought that the mistakes made by the lawyer in Gavalo's case were "serious."
Because his counsel permitted the jury to hear about an unrelated shooting--in which Gavalo participated--and thus provided them with "highly prejudicial" information, the appellate court thought a new trial was warranted.
Looks like he shot a bullseye there.
To view a copy of the Appellate Division's decision, please use this link: People v. Gavalo