Opinion
2012-06-8
Appeal from a judgment of the Cattaraugus County Court (Larry M. Himelein, J.), rendered January 4, 2010. The judgment convicted defendant, upon his plea of guilty, of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree (two counts). Wagner & Hart LLP, Olean (Janine Fodor of Counsel), for defendant-appellant. Lori Pettit Rieman, District Attorney, Little Valley (Kelly M. Balcom of Counsel), for respondent.
Appeal from a judgment of the Cattaraugus County Court (Larry M. Himelein, J.), rendered January 4, 2010. The judgment convicted defendant, upon his plea of guilty, of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree (two counts).
Wagner & Hart LLP, Olean (Janine Fodor of Counsel), for defendant-appellant. Lori Pettit Rieman, District Attorney, Little Valley (Kelly M. Balcom of Counsel), for respondent.
MEMORANDUM:
On appeal from a judgment convicting him upon his plea of guilty of two counts of criminal sale of a controlled substance in the third degree (Penal Law § 220.39[1] ), defendant contends that he is entitled to be resentenced because the prosecutor failed to provide Brady material, i.e., the details of defendant's alleged cooperation with law enforcement agents and any promises that he received in return for such cooperation. Initially, we note that defendant is correct that “Brady concerns exculpatory evidence that is relevant ... to punishment” ( People v. Reese, 23 A.D.3d 1034, 1036, 803 N.Y.S.2d 852,lv. denied6 N.Y.3d 779, 811 N.Y.S.2d 347, 844 N.E.2d 802;see generally Brady v. Maryland, 373 U.S. 83, 87, 83 S.Ct. 1194, 10 L.Ed.2d 215). Even assuming, arguendo, that defendant's contention survives his valid waiver of the right to appeal ( see generally People v. Johnson, 60 A.D.3d 1496, 1497, 876 N.Y.S.2d 282,lv. denied12 N.Y.3d 926, 884 N.Y.S.2d 707, 912 N.E.2d 1088), however, we conclude that it is unavailing. Defendant “failed to establish the existence of the [alleged Brady material] ..., and its potential [mitigation] value is purely speculative” ( id.; see People v. Little, 23 A.D.3d 1117, 1118, 807 N.Y.S.2d 756,lv. denied6 N.Y.3d 777, 811 N.Y.S.2d 344, 844 N.E.2d 799;People v. Mellerson, 15 A.D.3d 964, 965, 788 N.Y.S.2d 746,lv. denied5 N.Y.3d 791, 801 N.Y.S.2d 812, 835 N.E.2d 672). In addition, “ ‘it is well settled that evidence is not deemed to be Brady material when the defendant has knowledge of it,’ and here the record establishes that defendant was aware [of the extent of his cooperation with law enforcement agents and any promises that were made to him]” ( People v. Wall, 38 A.D.3d 1341, 1341, 832 N.Y.S.2d 336,lv. denied9 N.Y.3d 852, 840 N.Y.S.2d 779, 872 N.E.2d 892;see People v. Archie, 78 A.D.3d 1560, 1562, 910 N.Y.S.2d 817,lv. denied16 N.Y.3d 856, 923 N.Y.S.2d 418, 947 N.E.2d 1197).
It is hereby ORDERED that the judgment so appealed from is unanimously affirmed.