X

Thank you for sharing!

Your article was successfully shared with the contacts you provided.

Sessler Law PC, Geneseo (Steven D. Sessler of Counsel), for Defendant-Appellant.Gregory J. McCaffrey, District Attorney, Geneseo (Joshua J. Tonra of Counsel), for Respondent.Appeal from a judgment of the Livingston County Court (Dennis S. Cohen, J.), rendered January 17, 2013. The judgment convicted defendant, upon a jury verdict, of reckless endangerment in the first degree.It is hereby ORDERED that the judgment so appealed from is unanimously affirmed.Memorandum: Defendant appeals from a judgment convicting him upon a jury verdict of reckless endangerment in the first degree (Penal Law § 120.25). Contrary to defendant’s contention, he was not denied his right to counsel by County Court’s refusal to grant his request for new counsel inasmuch as defendant did not make a “seemingly serious request[]” for new counsel (People v. Sides, 75 NY2d 822, 824 [1990]).We reject defendant’s contention that he was denied his right to be present at a material stage of trial (see generally People v. Roman, 88 NY2d 18, 26 [1996], rearg denied 88 NY2d 920 [1996]). The conversations between the court and defense counsel regarding defendant’s competency did not require defendant’s presence (see People v. Kimes, 37 AD3d 1, 30-31 [1st Dept 2006], lv denied 8 NY3d 881 [2007], reconsideration denied 9 NY3d 846 [2007]; People v. Horan, 290 AD2d 880, 884 [3d Dept 2002], lv denied 98 NY2d 638 [2002]). In any event, those conversations were repeated on the record when defendant was present, thus obviating any possible error (see People v. Purcelle, 107 AD3d 1050, 1051 [3d Dept 2013]; People v. Forte, 243 AD2d 578, 578 [2d Dept 1997], lv denied 91 NY2d 891 [1998]).Finally, the court did not err in failing to sua sponte order a competency examination (see CPL 730.30 [1]; People v. Bryant, 117 AD3d 1591, 1591 [4th Dept 2014], lv denied 23 NY3d 1034 [2014]; see generally People v. Tortorici, 92 NY2d 757, 765 [1999], cert denied 528 US 834 [1999]). The record supports the court’s determination that “[d]efendant’s remarks . . . were suggestive of a[n] obstructionist frame of mind, not an incompetent one” (People v. Johnson, 145 AD3d 1109, 1110 [3d Dept 2016], lv denied 29 NY3d 949 [2017]).

 
Reprints & Licensing
Mentioned in a Law.com story?

License our industry-leading legal content to extend your thought leadership and build your brand.

More From ALM

With this subscription you will receive unlimited access to high quality, online, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry. This is perfect for attorneys licensed in multiple jurisdictions or for attorneys that have fulfilled their CLE requirement but need to access resourceful information for their practice areas.
View Now
Our Team Account subscription service is for legal teams of four or more attorneys. Each attorney is granted unlimited access to high quality, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry along with administrative access to easily manage CLE for the entire team.
View Now
Gain access to some of the most knowledgeable and experienced attorneys with our 2 bundle options! Our Compliance bundles are curated by CLE Counselors and include current legal topics and challenges within the industry. Our second option allows you to build your bundle and strategically select the content that pertains to your needs. Both options are priced the same.
View Now
October 15, 2024
Los Angeles, CA

Join the industry's top owners, investors, developers, brokers & financiers at THE MULTIFAMILY EVENT OF THE YEAR!


Learn More
October 15, 2024
Los Angeles, CA

Law.com celebrates the California law firms and legal departments driving the state's dynamic legal landscape.


Learn More
October 15, 2024
Dallas, TX

The Texas Lawyer honors attorneys and judges who have made a remarkable difference in the legal profession in Texas.


Learn More

McDermott Law, LLC, a boutique Plaintiffs-focused firm located in the Denver Tech Center, has an opening for a full-time associate attorney....


Apply Now ›

Beitchman & Zekian, P.C. seeks a motivated and ambitious attorney with 2 to 4 years of civil and business litigation experience for its ...


Apply Now ›

Job Summary: The Director of Operations will be responsible for the strategic and operational management of the firm's Personal Injury pract...


Apply Now ›