Opinion
May 23, 1989
Appeal from the Supreme Court, New York County, James Leff, J.
We agree with the People's concession that the court erred in permitting the People to cross-examine the defendant concerning four prior convictions, all of which, as did the instant indictment, involve thefts from commercial vehicles. (People v Sandoval, 34 N.Y.2d 371.) Nor can the error be deemed harmless, since defendant's credibility was a central issue at trial.
Concur — Murphy, P.J., Ross, Carro, Asch and Kassal, JJ.