Before Joseph Fisher pled guilty to burglary and attempted rape (both in the first degree), he was supposedly told by a New York County Supreme Court judge that he would receive the "maximum sentence" and would be a "very old man" by the time he got out of jail if convicted and sentenced after trial.
On appeal, Fisher sought to have his plea rescinded because of "undue coercion" by the trial judge.
Interestingly, because the Appellate Division, First Department, agreed that the threats were "impermissibly coercive" and compromised Fisher's right to a fair trial, his plea was vacated and the case was sent back for further proceedings.
Was the AD1 baited by Fisher?
To view a copy of the Appellate Division's decision, please use this link: People v. Fisher