Frank LaBuda

Frank J. LaBuda is a New York Supreme Court Justice in Sullivan County, New York.

Biography

In 1967, LaBuda graduated from high school in The Bronx. Three and a half years later, he graduated Phi Beta Kappa from City University. He then went on to receive a J.D. from Case Western Reserve University School of Law in Cleveland, Ohio.

Notable decisions

="People v. Carl Colberg" [cite news | url = http://www.rickross.com/reference/general/general157.html| title = Battered Woman's Syndrome Applies to Men Too, Judge Finds| first = Michael | last = Riccardi | publisher = "New York Law Journal"| date = 1999-12-18 | accessdate = 2008-03-27 ] =

In "Colberg", Labuda held that that "Battered Person Syndrome" can be used as a defense in criminal cases. Previosly, "Batttered Woman's Syndrome" was the only "battered" defense available. In this case, Colberg, who allegedly had a history of alcohol and prescription drug abuse, broke down his parent's bedroom door and moved toward them in an "uncontrollable rage." His father shot and killed his son, and the defense counsel wanted to present the son's history of physical and verbal abuse toward his parents to make out a case that the shooting was justified as self-defense.

References