A Bronx, N.Y., judge has tossed out the conviction of a defendant whose trial attorney was “thoroughly unprepared” and had a “woefully deficient” understanding of criminal defense practice and trial techniques.
Granting Benedict Araka’s motion to vacate his conviction based on ineffective assistance of counsel grounds, Supreme Court Justice Richard Lee Price blasted Noel Nafiu Akinsola for his “incompetence,” including his rambling opening statement, “virtually non-existent” cross-examination of the prosecution’s witnesses and failure to move for dismissal at the conclusion of his client’s case.
