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People v. Betancourt

Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York, First Department
Dec 11, 1990
168 A.D.2d 276 (N.Y. App. Div. 1990)

Opinion

December 11, 1990

Appeal from the Supreme Court, New York County (Martin Rettinger, J.).


Defendant was arrested as the result of his participation in the sale of one vial of crack cocaine to an undercover narcotics officer conducting a "buy-and-bust" operation. In that regard, defendant, who was distinctively dressed, handed the officer the cocaine after she gave $10 in prerecorded buy money to defendant's accomplice. She then made a confirmatory identification of defendant at the scene within 20 to 25 minutes of the transaction. Viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the People, as we are required to do (People v. Tejeda, 73 N.Y.2d 958), it is clear that the proof was sufficient to support defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Moreover, there is simply no basis apparent in the record which would warrant setting aside the jury's crediting of the officer's testimony (see, People v. Malizia, 62 N.Y.2d 755, cert. denied 469 U.S. 932).

As for defendant's contention that information concerning the confirmatory identification was not included in the voluntary disclosure form furnished to defense counsel, this omission certainly does not mandate reversal of defendant's conviction. Defendant was not at all prejudiced thereby, and, in any event, it is undisputed that the prosecution did provide advance notice of the confirmatory identification. Where, as in the situation herein, there is a confirmatory identification by a trained narcotics officer shortly after a narcotics purchase, a Wade hearing is not required (People v. Wharton, 74 N.Y.2d 921). Under such circumstances, the observation by the officer merely constitutes an "ordinary and proper completion of an integral police procedure" (People v. Wharton, supra, at 922-923). Finally, we have considered defendant's remaining arguments and find them to be without merit or unpreserved for appellate review (CPL 470.05).

Concur — Murphy, P.J., Sullivan, Milonas and Smith, JJ.


Summaries of

People v. Betancourt

Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York, First Department
Dec 11, 1990
168 A.D.2d 276 (N.Y. App. Div. 1990)
Case details for

People v. Betancourt

Case Details

Full title:THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, Respondent, v. WILLIAM BETANCOURT…

Court:Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of New York, First Department

Date published: Dec 11, 1990

Citations

168 A.D.2d 276 (N.Y. App. Div. 1990)
562 N.Y.S.2d 504

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