Opinion
March 14, 1997.
Judgment unanimously affirmed.
Present — Green, J.P., Lawton, Callahan, Doerr and Boehm, JJ.
Defendant has not demonstrated that he was denied a fair trial by less than meaningful representation ( see, People v Flores, 84 NY2d 184, 187; People v Hobot, 84 NY2d 1021, 1022). "`[A] simple disagreement with strategies, tactics or the scope of possible cross-examination, weighed long after trial, does not suffice' to satisfy defendant's burden of establishing ineffective assistance of counsel" ( People v Brandon, 237 AD2d 980 [decided herewith], quoting People v Flores, supra, at 187). Defendant was not deprived of his statutory right to a speedy trial. The People announced their readiness for trial within six months of the commencement of the criminal action ( see, CPL 30.30 [a]). The record does not support the contention that defendant was denied his constitutional right to a speedy trial ( see, People v Taranovich, 37 NY2d 442, 445). County Court did not abuse its discretion in ruling that defendant could be cross-examined with respect to four prior convictions ( see, People v Moody, 229 AD2d 936). By rejecting the court's offer to submit to the jury criminal possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree as a lesser included offense, defendant waived his present contention that the court erred in failing to submit that charge ( see, People v Campbell, 166 AD2d 183, lv denied 77 NY2d 837). The court properly permitted a prosecution witness to testify that defendant's appearance had changed in the three-day period between the crime and defendant's arrest ( see, People v Russell, 79 NY2d 1024, 1025). Finally, the verdict is not contrary to the weight of the evidence ( see, People v Bleakley, 69 NY2d 490, 495), and the sentence is not unduly harsh or severe. (Appeal from Judgment of Cayuga County Court, Corning, J. — Criminal Possession Controlled Substance, 3rd Degree.)