Opinion
November 15, 1989
Appeal from the Supreme Court, Monroe County, Bergin, J.
Present — Dillon, P.J., Callahan, Boomer, Balio and Lawton, JJ.
Judgment unanimously affirmed. Memorandum: Defendant contends that his conviction of criminal possession of a controlled substance in the first degree (Penal Law § 220.43) was based on legally insufficient proof and was against the weight of the evidence. From our review of the record, we find that the evidence provides a valid line of reasoning to support the verdict reached by the jury and find no basis to conclude that the jury erred in weighing the evidence (see, People v Bleakley, 69 N.Y.2d 490, 495). Defendant further contends that reversible error was committed when the prosecutor introduced into evidence the agreement between the Federal Government and John Drennan prior to any challenge by the defense to Drennan's credibility. Although the agreement contained a promise by Drennan to testify truthfully, its admission did not constitute impermissible bolstering of his credibility (see, United States v Dadanian, 818 F.2d 1443, 1445 [9th Cir]; United States v Machi, 811 F.2d 991, 1003 [7th Cir]; United States v Townsend, 796 F.2d 158, 162-163 [6th Cir]; United States v Binker, 795 F.2d 1218, 1223 [5th Cir], cert denied 479 U.S. 1085; United States v Oxman, 740 F.2d 1298, 1302-1303 [3d Cir], vacated and remanded on other grounds sub nom. United States v Pflaumer, 473 U.S. 922; United States v McNeill, 728 F.2d 5, 15 [1st Cir]; United States v Henderson, 717 F.2d 135, 137-138 [4th Cir], cert denied 465 U.S. 1009; but see, United States v Cosentino, 844 F.2d 30 [2d Cir], cert denied ___ US ___, 109 S Ct 303). Introduction of the agreement, which impeached his credibility by indicating his interest in testifying and bolstered it by providing that he would testify truthfully, enabled the jury to assess the witness's credibility more accurately (see, United States v Townsend, supra; United States v McNeill, supra). Moreover, if there was any error in admission of the agreement, it must be viewed as harmless. The prosecutor introduced the agreement into evidence at the close of his direct examination, but he did not otherwise elicit any information concerning Drennan's promise to testify truthfully. On cross-examination defense counsel attacked Drennan's credibility based on his plea arrangement. Defendant concedes that at that point the entire agreement would have been admissible (see, United States v Borello, 766 F.2d 46 [2d Cir]). The record establishes that the jury was never made aware of the bolstering aspects of this agreement until after defense counsel's attack on Drennan's credibility. The proof of defendant's guilt was overwhelming, and there was no significant probability that but for the alleged error the jury would have acquitted defendant (see, People v Johnson, 57 N.Y.2d 969, 970; People v Crimmins, 36 N.Y.2d 230, 241-242).
We have reviewed defendant's remaining contentions and find them to be without merit.