Opinion
November 20, 1995
Appeal from the Supreme Court, Queens County (Giaccio, J.).
Ordered that the judgment is reversed, on the law, and a new trial is ordered.
The defendant's fundamental right to be present at all material stages of the trial was violated when he was excluded from several sidebar conferences with prospective jurors which explored their backgrounds and their ability to weigh the evidence objectively (see, People v Antommarchi, 80 N.Y.2d 247, 250). Accordingly, the defendant's judgment of conviction must be reversed (see, People v Antommarchi, supra).
In light of the foregoing determination, we need not address the defendant's remaining contention. O'Brien, J.P., Santucci, Joy and Friedmann, JJ., concur.