Opinion
April 15, 1994
Appeal from the Niagara County Court, Hannigan, J.
Present — Green, J.P., Pine, Fallon, Callahan and Boehm, JJ.
Judgment unanimously reversed on the law and new trial granted. Memorandum: Because he was absent from the Sandoval hearing, defendant was deprived of his right to be present at all material stages of the proceedings against him (see, People v Dokes, 79 N.Y.2d 656, 662; People v Daniels, 202 A.D.2d 986).
In view of our determination, we do not address defendant's remaining contentions.