Opinion
2011-12-20
The PEOPLE of the State of New York, Respondent, v. Victor BROWN, Defendant–Appellant.
Steven Banks, The Legal Aid Society, New York (Katheryne M. Martone of counsel), for appellant. Robert T. Johnson, District Attorney, Bronx (Hannah E.C. Moore of counsel), for respondent.
Steven Banks, The Legal Aid Society, New York (Katheryne M. Martone of counsel), for appellant. Robert T. Johnson, District Attorney, Bronx (Hannah E.C. Moore of counsel), for respondent.
SAXE, J.P., CATTERSON, MOSKOWITZ, ACOSTA, JJ.
Judgement, Supreme Court, Bronx County (Troy K. Webber, J. at speedy trial motion; Martin Marcus, J. at plea and sentencing), rendered February 23, 2009, convicting defendant of manslaughter in the first degree, and sentencing him to a term of 18 years, unanimously affirmed.
To the extent that the record on appeal permits review, defendant has not established a violation of his constitutional right to a speedy trial ( see People v. Taranovich, 37 N.Y.2d 442, 445, 373 N.Y.S.2d 79, 335 N.E.2d 303 [1975] ). There was a 40–month delay and defendant was incarcerated for approximately half of that time. However, the People have satisfactorily explained the delay, most of which was attributable to the unavailability of an important witness ( see e.g. People v. Cruz, 293 A.D.2d 412, 740 N.Y.S.2d 852 [2002], lv. denied 98 N.Y.2d 674, 746 N.Y.S.2d 463, 774 N.E.2d 228 [2002] ). In addition, the charges were very serious, and defendant's claim of prejudice is unpersuasive.
Defendant made a valid waiver of his right to appeal, in a colloquy with the court as well as in writing ( see People v. Ramos, 7 N.Y.3d 737, 819 N.Y.S.2d 853, 853 N.E.2d 222 [2006]; People v. Lopez, 6 N.Y.3d 248, 811 N.Y.S.2d 623, 844 N.E.2d 1145 [2006] ). That waiver forecloses review of defendant's contention that the sentence was harsh and excessive. As an alternative holding, we perceive no basis for reducing the sentence.